About this Project « Sabbath Manifesto

About this Project

Way back when, God said, “On the seventh day thou shalt rest.” The meaning behind it was simple: Take a break. Call a timeout. Find some balance. Recharge.

Somewhere along the line, however, this mantra for living faded from modern consciousness. The idea of unplugging every seventh day now feels tragically close to impossible. Who has time to take time off? We need eight days a week to get tasks accomplished, not six.

The Sabbath Manifesto was developed in the same spirit as the Slow Movement, slow food, slow living, by a small group of artists, writers, filmmakers and media professionals who, while not particularly religious, felt a collective need to fight back against our increasingly fast-paced way of living. The idea is to take time off, deadlines and paperwork be damned.

In the Manifesto, we’ve adapted our ancestors’ rituals by carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors, get with loved ones and, if we’re lucky, get some booty, too. The ten principles are to be observed one day per week, from sunset to sunset. We invite you to practice, challenge and/or help shape what we’re creating.

How to Observe

Not sure how to turn the Principles into reality?

Here are some tips on interpreting the Sabbath Manifesto as you see fit:

To some, “avoid technology” means not sending text messages. To others, it means not using a stove or riding in an elevator. To some, “be healthy” means running the next NYC marathon. For others, it means chewing each mouthful of food you eat real slow – 18 chews a bite.
You get the picture. Find the balance that works for you.

Create rules that allow you to rest and reflect without destroying the fabric of your life.
Want more tips? Check out our DIY section.

Got your own ideas? Let us know.

Who’s behind this?

The Sabbath Manifesto was created by a group of Jewish artists in search of a modern way to observe a weekly day of rest. The group are all members of Reboot, a non-profit group designed to “reboot” the cultures, traditions and rituals of Jewish life.

Special thanks to Lisa-Anne Auerbach, Nicola Behrman, Roger Bennett, Dennis Berman, Robb Bindler, Greg Clayman, Adam Clyne, Michelle Collins, Lou Cove, Noam Dromi, Joshua Foer, Dan Fost, Ken Goldberg, Ben Greenman, Alex Grossman, Craig Kanarick, Amelia Klein begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Jenji Kohan, Elisha Levin, Jackie Miller, Liz Nord, Christopher Noxon, Dan Rollman, Steven Rubenstein, David Sax, Tanya Schevitz, Nathan Shedroff, Tiffany Shlain, Jill Soloway, Jessica Tully, David Ulin, Sasha Wizansky.

Questions? Contact Amelia Klein, Program Director, Reboot.