There are moments in life when you feel not only the sanctity of Shabbat but also the presence of eternity. On Shabbat Shuva 5786, I had such an experience in Tzfat, the mystical city where the mountains meet the heavens and the very air seems infused with holiness.

I was invited to spend Shabbat with Yidei Eim, a grassroots initiative founded by Rabbi Gershon and Rebbetzin Vogel. Their mission is simple yet profound: to create a center for personal, relational, and spiritual growth that unites people across backgrounds and generations.

From the very beginning, I was struck by the beauty of the gathering. Around the table were students, young professionals, families, retirees, locals, and visitors from Israel and abroad. Their sincerity and love for Yiddishkeit radiated throughout the room. Eyes shone with joy as Shabbat was welcomed, voices lifted in harmony with zemirot, and hearts opened in friendship and unity.

The atmosphere was unique — a rare blend of wholesomeness and joy, of deep seriousness and lighthearted camaraderie. Here were people from different walks of life, yet united in their passion for Torah and respect for one another. There was no cynicism, no judgment, no division. Instead, there was singing, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose.

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Vogel were the heartbeat of this experience. Rabbi Vogel was a gracious host, encouraging me to share two divrei Torah — one on Friday night and another on Shabbat afternoon. The group listened with attentiveness, their questions and insights flowing naturally, reflecting both knowledge and eagerness to grow in Torah. Rebbetzin Vogel, with her warmth and generosity, made every guest feel like family. Together, they embodied the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim — welcoming guests — in its purest, most joyous form.

I was deeply moved by the zemirot that filled the table. Each song rose not as performance but as expression of the soul. The melodies carried the joy of Shabbat and the hope of a people who have endured so much yet remain forever young in spirit. As we sang, I felt the voices of the generations join in — as if the Arizal, Rabbi Yosef Caro, and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, the great sages of Tzfat, were hovering above, smiling at the continuity of Torah and song in this city they once called home.

And how could one not be moved by the setting itself? From the windows, the mountains of the Galil stretched out in majesty, their quiet beauty testifying to the greatness of the Creator. To sit in Tzfat on Shabbat is to sit at the crossroads of heaven and earth — where prayer rises more easily, the soul feels lighter, and holiness feels close at hand.

What impressed me most was the wholeness of the experience. It was not only about delicious homemade food, or singing, or words of Torah in isolation. It was the integration of all these elements — Torah, camaraderie, melodies, kindness, and the holiness of the city — that created something truly unforgettable. It was a Shabbat of wholeness, of oneness, of belonging.

As I walked through the streets of Tzfat after the meals, I thought of the generations who lived and prayed here. I thought of the Arizal composing kabbalistic meditations, of Rabbi Alkabetz writing Lecha Dodi, of Rabbi Yosef Caro compiling the Shulchan Aruch. Their presence is still felt, not only in the synagogues and study halls but in the spirit of the people who gather here to learn, to sing, and to celebrate Shabbat together.

Through Yidei Eim, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Vogel carry this spirit forward with their open home and open hearts. In a world often filled with judgment, they embody love. In a time when divisions are so easily made, they create unity. In an age when hospitality is too often reduced to formality, they show what it means to truly welcome one another. Just as the great sages of Tzfat once brought Torah and song to the Jewish people, Yidei Eim is carrying that same spirit into today’s generation.

For me, the Shabbaton was unforgettable. It revealed the best of Am Yisrael: joy, refinement, Torah, and a deep sense of belonging. It was not only the melodies or the divrei Torah, not only the food or the setting, but the wholeness created when all of these came together in harmony.

The Vogels continue to host gatherings like these in Tzfat, welcoming Jews from all walks of life into an atmosphere of warmth, song, and Torah. Many who join describe it as transformative, a rare glimpse of Jewish unity at its best. May we all learn from their example — to open our homes, to open our hearts, and to create spaces where the light of Torah, the beauty of camaraderie, and the holiness of Shabbat shine brightly for all. To experience this kind of Shabbat for yourself, visit Yidei Eim.