F1: Shabbat

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There is always room to make our Shabbat a bit more special and there are many different ways of enhancing our Shabbat experience. Here is a list of just a few things you might do already, or you may want to try out:

1. Talking to the Family

The candles are traditionally a sign of peace in the home. So Shabbat is a day for talking and getting on with each other. Many people have more than their immediate family at a Shabbat meal. They might go to their aunt & uncle's place or have their grandparents round every week. These are great opportunities to talk to these people and take an interest in their lives. Different generations have different perspectives on the world and are nearly always very interesting. You can learn more about your family history: what kind of people your ancestors were, where and how they lived, what they cared about. What do they think of how it is today? You'll hear some unforgettable stories. On the other hand, you might just use the chance of the get-together to find out what each other has been up to recently (as suggested above).

2. Eating a traditional Shabbat meal

The whole meal is special, not just the Kiddush wine and fresh bread. With this in mind many people make an extra effort to ensure that the Friday night meal is the top meal of the week. One of the most spiritual things you can do on Shabbat is have a slap up meal - it makes you happy, it makes you feel good. Those feelings are what Shabbat is all about.

3. Trying out a Jewish book

Since you're at home and you don't have to work, you can take some time to read a good Jewish book. Most of us have them: old presents from special occasions, the odd Cheder prize and even some hand-me-downs. There are so many books on all kinds of weird and wonderful topics: stories in the Torah, Jewish history, customs, Israel, philosophical questions, relationships, literature about the Holocaust, books about Jewish festivals and prayer, contemporary issues, the list is endless. No matter what your taste, there is always a Jewish book, or article on the subject. Shabbat is a good opportunity to learn a bit more about being Jewish.

4. Going to Shul

Despite what loads of us think, going to shul doesn't have to be a drag! Synagogues are getting better and better nowadays. There are alternative services, childrens' services, youth services and explanatory services. Shul does not have to be the same every week. You can concentrate on different prayers, attempt to learn some of the tunes that you are unfamiliar with or better still, learn what some of the prayers actually mean. There's not many things more boring than spending a couple of hours reading out words in a foreign language that you don't really understand. There are so many people that would be more than happy to spend time with you helping to understand any parts of the service or individual prayers that seem like gobbledegook to you, that there really isn't any real reason to use "but I don't get it - it's borrrrrrrrrrrrring" as an excuse.

5. Flicking through the Jewish Chronicle (and/or local Jewish newspapers)

Seeing what other Jews do can make you feel part of the Jewish people. Whilst reading the whole paper might not be quite your ideal definition of relaxing, there are enough different sections to find a few pages of interest. There's the announcements of births, marriages and deaths (otherwise known as the "Hatch, Match and Despatch" section!); news about Israel; a youth & students'page; sports results and league tables; and often the odd intriguing articles or obnoxious letter to read. You can even play the old "Who do I know in this week's JC?" game that seems to have become a popular feature in Jewish households all over the country. Whatever you decide to do with the paper, don't hog it, your family might also want a look in!

6. Getting out and about

Most of the time we travel to get somewhere. On Shabbat you can take a stroll and not really care where you end up. It might be the only chance each week to actually look around you and take in nature and life around you. Talking to a close friend on a park bench, watching people pass by or just letting your mind wander - why not? Shabbat gives you the freedom to walk without worries.

7. Inviting your friends round

Sitting around and chatting, gossiping and having a laugh is good for a Saturday, especially if your Sunday is going to taken up by a mountain of homework. Shabbat is a day to share with the people you really care about and to talk honestly and openly with them as well as messing about and getting out all those old board games!

Why not go one stage further, and actually arrange some kind of Shabbat gathering with a group of friends at one of your houses? This could involve reading a version (in Hebrew, or English translation, or even written up in a more modern translation) of the week's Torah portion; having a discussion based around the main issue of the story; perhaps asking others to bring along their favourite book ready to read a great section from it to everyone else; having a nice Shabbat lunch together and then maybe going to a local park.

8. Attending a shiur, or a study weekend

A shiur (Jewish class) is a chance to learn more. There are probably a few that go on in your area over Shabbat. You can just turn up and join in. No obligations, no prior knowledge required. Alternatively, you could try out a Jewish weekend trip. Many organisations arrange Shabbat programmes for teenagers. Loads of friends go, it's a chance to get away from home and you may learn something too. If you're a not already member of a Jewish youth club, organisation or youth movement, this is probably a good enough reason to become one!

9. Snuggling up with your favourite read

You don't have to read school books on Shabbat, so don't! Your Shabbat read doesn't even necessarily have to always be something Jewish. Read what you want to read! Shabbat is the day for a few chapters of your novel, a collection of poems by your fave poet, a couple of comics, or your latest football magazines - whatever kind of read you are into.

10. Sleeping

Whilst we're not saying that it's better to sleep on Shabbat, most people would agree that Shabbat sleep is better than any other sleep! Sleeping without alarm clocks is very enjoyable. Ask anyone! Without work obligations you are free to really relax. Its called a Shabbat shluf and its heaven. Some argue that the best time of a Saturday for a Shabbat shluf is between lunch and dinner - why not experiment and decide for yourself!

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