Shabbat of the Centuries (1999)

WHEREAS, the Shabbat which will occur on Friday, December 31, 1999 through Saturday, January 1, 2000 is an occasion of the rarest proportion; and

WHEREAS, Conservative Judaism affirms the centrality of the mitzvah of Shabbat and the many mitzvot which lead Jews to remember and observe Shabbat.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the mission for the Shabbat of the Centuries is

• To create, develop, plan and execute meaningful Shabbat experiences which coincide with the final Shabbat of 1999 on the secular calendar; and
• To celebrate Jewish living congregationally in the non-Jewish culture of North America; and
• To educate congregants about the weekly joy of Shabbat; and
• To anchor other programs, preceding this Shabbat and in the years ahead, in the way in which Jews approach the sanctity of time; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism encourages each of its affiliated synagogues to lead its membership in the observance of the final Shabbat of 1999 and the first Shabbat of 2000 through the talents and creative plans of the congregation, making the Shabbat of the Centuries the first step into Shabbat in the year 2000 for countless Jews in need of further refreshment of the body and soul which Shabbat provides.