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Happiness at annual Shabbat under the stars

Rabbi: Israel turmoil has people yearning to connect
The annual Shabbat Under the Stars dinner was held Aug. 2 at Chabad of Southern Delaware in Lewes. About 70 people came to celebrate through community, song and prayer. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
August 10, 2024

Local Jews celebrated the sabbath outside as the sun set Aug. 2.

Chabad of Southern Delaware held its annual Shabbat Under the Stars dinner. The event is aimed at bringing all Jews together for an evening of community, song and prayer.

“We invite anyone, any Jew, no matter who [they] are or where [they] are from,” said Rabbi Shalom Vogel, who runs the local Chabad organization along with his wife, Chanale. “[If] you’re Jewish, you [can] come to celebrate Shabbat dinner with the community. The community is growing, and this is a great way to connect as a people.” 

Vogel said they were expecting about 70 people at this year’s dinner, double the number from 2023.

Given the current unstable situation in Israel, he said he is not surprised about the turnout. 

“I think people are looking to connect,” he said. “I think people are feeling isolated amongst others and, therefore, they really crave that camaraderie they have with other Jewish people and really get in touch with their heritage.”

Rabbi David Nesenhoff, who is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, was a special guest at the dinner.

He spoke about fighting anti-Semitism and finding happiness in challenging times.

“[Nesenhoff] spoke about the immense power of a good deed. A person can think, ‘What's the big deal about one small act?’ But when we realize the tremendous power in a mitzvah, or good deed, we will be more inclined to do just one more mitzvah beyond what we usually do,” Vogel said.

Vogel said Nesenhoff also spoke about not focusing on anti-Semites and the loud noise, but to focus on the garden – the friends and neighbors of the Jews who stick up for Jews.

Nesenhoff gained attention for an interview he did with journalist Helen Thomas outside the White House in 2010, in which Thomas made anti-Semitic remarks. Those comments led to her firing.

 

Guest speaker David Nesenhoff, left, and Rabbi Sholom Vogel lead prayers before dinner. Chanele Vogel, right, looks on. Nesenhoff is an internationally known speaker who has embarked on a mission to oppose anti-Semitism.
Nancy Nesenhoff lights traditional candles, which is a way of honoring the sabbath by bringing a sense of calmness and serenity to the house.
Some of the people who attended Shabbat Under the Stars talk inside before heading outside for dinner.
Craig Miller enjoys conversation at the table during Shabbat Under the Stars.
Bonnie Korn reads from the Torah during the Shabbat ceremony.
Gerry Kaplan wears a yarmulka representing Chabad of Southern Delaware.
Welcoming the Shabbat by reading from the Torah.
Women celebrating the Shabbat before the event moved outside.
Ben and Susan Zemel look at their prayer books prior to services.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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