Rabbi Mendy Levertov addresses the crowd at SXSW OpenShabbat on March 7. Credit: Wendy Goodman 

By Wendy Goodman 

As the sun set on Friday, March 7, hundreds came together in downtown Austin for OpenShabbat, an annual community Shabbat hosted by Tech Tribe and Chabad Young Jewish Professionals of Austin. Held on the first Friday of SXSW, this event invites festival attendees and visitors of all backgrounds to step away from the hustle of conference sessions, workshops and networking to embrace the tradition of Shabbat with a shared meal and community. 

Rabbi Mendy Levertov of Chabad Young Jewish Professionals of Austin began the evening with inspiring remarks and candle lighting. “Tonight, we must remind ourselves what we’re doing in this world… We are here celebrating, connecting and reminding ourselves that our purpose in life is not our work. Our purpose in life is not the conferences, the music, the dancing and the singing. Our purpose in life is that we are spiritual beings… Our job in this world is to elevate, through the mitzvot, the good deeds, to touch every person, every act, every morning and every evening… Shabbat Shalom,” Rabbi Levertov said. 

The evening continued with singing and mingling as attendees made new connections and celebrated this time together.  

On the last Friday of SXSW, March 14, Schmooze Club (SCHMOOZE), Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz, Value Culture and OneTable held a community “Slider Shabbat” to close out the festival and bring people together for a meaningful, cultural experience.  

Kosha Dillz described how special this event was as an “alternative way of creating community.”  

Nearly 100 conference goers and visitors came out to enjoy sliders and other food from JewBoy Burgers, to light candles, recite blessings and celebrate Shabbat together. 

SCHMOOZE, founded by Dillon Shipper, Benjamin Sakhai, Jonathan Churi, had hosted another private SXSW Shabbat program the previous week.  

“SXSW Slider Shabbat was such a meaningful experience for us, especially in the heart of SXSW where so many different cultures and ideas collide. Partnering with Kosha Dillz made it even more special as we combined traditional Shabbat blessings with free sliders and live music, creating a space where people could connect, celebrate, and learn. While SCHMOOZE usually centers around the Jewish community, we opened this one up to everyone. It was important to us to share the beauty of Jewish tradition in a way that felt approachable, joyful, and inclusive,” Shipper said. 

Nearly 100 conference goers and visitors gather at SXSW Slider Shabbat on March 14 to enjoy sliders and other food from JewBoy Burgers, to light candles, recite blessings and celebrat Shabbat, Courtesy: Dillon Shipper

SCHMOOZE, a social club for Jewish Austinites, hosts a variety of networking events in the city. “We founded SCHMOOZE in Austin because we saw a need for meaningful Jewish experiences that go beyond the typical. We wanted to build a community that feels vibrant and rooted in tradition, but also open, social, and unapologetically fun. Austin is full of incredible, creative people, and we believe the Jewish community here deserves a place to thrive and feel proud of their identity. That’s why we host events like this as we aim to bring people together, celebrate who we are, and keep the culture alive in new and exciting ways,” Shipper said.