Shabbat is not only one of the most important Jewish traditions; it is also perhaps one of Judaism’s greatest gifts to humanity. The radical, subversive notion that everyone deserves a day off has reshaped our world and influenced the way was think about what it is to be human. In this learning series we will explore the meaning of Shabbat: We’ll discover where Shabbat comes from, explore its various meanings in Jewish tradition, and talk about how to “reclaim” it meaningfully as 21st century Jews. Each of the three sessions addresses a different “meta-idea” about Shabbat: [1] Shabbat as an expression of human dignity, [2] Shabbat as an expression of gratitude and appreciation, and [3] Shabbat as an expression of Tikkun Olam and hope for the future. As well, each session opens with a well-known Shabbat song! We will sing together, and then use the song as a jumping-off point for our discussion. This helps learners make the connection between a song they may know and the deeper discussion about Shabbat and its meaning in our lives.