In our November 24 edition we printed an article, “2021 Shabbat Project Roars Back With Record Participation,” about the post-COVID Shabbat project, which saw a record 1,166 citywide “unity events,” in addition to thousands of private events across 1,511 cities worldwide. It brings us joy and hope for the future that so many Jews took the opportunity to “disconnect” and enjoy celebratory moments together, so many having been inspired by this single idea, and this single Shabbat, brought about by South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein. His idea certainly has become a global phenomenon.

That article resonated especially this week. When we read the news or opened our emails, this whole week our editorial team felt we just had to take a breath. The front pages of every newspaper that came into our office or onto our screens showed a world on the brink, on multiple levels. Some weeks, our Shabbat prayers just can’t come fast enough.

Perhaps that’s why we worked especially hard this week to find good news and to highlight stories that show the creativity, kindness and the purpose behind our daily struggles.

We hope this Shabbat will not be filled with stress-inducing news headlines, or concerns regarding terror attacks in Israel, strife in Syria, Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine, not to mention the economy or new variants, or anything else. Rather, we hope we can all use Shabbat to take a collective breath and enjoy the blessings we have and the special moments that bring them.

Shabbat shalom!