Global Shabbat is BBYO’s annual worldwide initiative that brings together thousands of Jewish teens from across the globe to welcome Shabbat as one community. Held each December, it’s the largest Shabbat experience - a powerful celebration of unity, tradition, and inspiration.
But Global Shabbat is more than just candle lighting and challah. It’s an opportunity for teens to explore the meaning of Shabbat in a way that reflects their unique identities, cultures, and communities. Each year, Global Shabbat is built around a central theme that shapes the programs, conversations, and reflections, helping participants feel connected not only to their local chapter, but also to a global Jewish network.
Global Shabbat events often feature moving guest speakers - Holocaust survivors, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders - who share their stories and elevate the experience with powerful messages. Whether through traditional services or creative interpretations, teens come together to pause, reflect, and celebrate the peace and power of Shabbat.
It’s a moment to slow down and reconnect - with Jewish values, with each other, and with something bigger than ourselves.