Can New York break bread and break records at once?
On November 21, 2025, thousands of New Yorkers will find out when The Big Shabbat in NYC transforms the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center into the world’s largest Shabbat dinner. It’s not just about setting a Guinness World Record; it’s about connection, tradition, and unity. For one incredible evening, faith and festivity will meet on a scale New York has never seen.
A City Ready to Make History
In 2014, Tel Aviv set the Guinness World Record for the largest Shabbat dinner with 2,226 guests. A year later, Berlin topped it with 2,322. Now, The Big Shabbat in NYC aims to reclaim the crown for the world’s second-largest Jewish city — New York.
The event is organized by The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, which envisions a night that transcends denominations and generations. It’s a moment designed for everyone — religious, cultural, secular, or simply curious — to come together, light candles, and celebrate what connects them all: community.
Event Schedule: The Night Unfolds
When doors open, the air will buzz with anticipation. The Javits Center will glow with thousands of candles and the sound of laughter echoing through the halls.
At a Glance:
- 5:45 PM:Doors open, guests arrive and mingle.
- 6:00 PM:The celebration begins with live music, appetizers, and the start of The Big Shabbat dinner.
- 8:30 PM:The trip winner is announced, followed by the Shehecheyanu blessing and Guinness record reveal.
- 8:45 PM:The Shabbat Oneg continues with desserts and live performances.
- 10:00 PM:The night concludes with a communal “Shabbat Shalom!”
It’s a schedule full of spirit, food, and joy; proving that faith can be festive and tradition can be modern.
A Feast for 3,000: The Culinary Heart of Shabbat
Chefs prepare kosher dishes for The Big Shabbat NYC’s record-breaking feast.
If there’s one thing that unites New York’s Jewish community, it’s food. And The Big Shabbat in NYC takes that to the next level. This certified kosher, vegetarian, dairy meal will be served family-style for 3,000 guests.
A team of 10 chefs, 45 assistants, and 156 servers will bring the feast to life. The menu, curated by four of today’s most celebrated voices in Jewish cuisine — Adeena Sussman, Jake Cohen, Joan Nathan, and Beejhy Barhany — is a culinary love letter to Jewish kitchens around the world.
Expect golden challahs, vibrant salads, creamy kugel, and Sussman’s signature tomato-jam roasted salmon. The aroma alone will make the Javits Center feel like one giant Shabbat table.
Faith, Music, and a Little Bit of Broadway
Beyond the meal, The Big Shabbat NYC captures the soul and spirit of New York.
The evening won’t just be about food. It will be a full sensory experience; live performances, music, and blessings that capture the joy of Shabbat. Clergy from synagogues across the city, including Temple Shaaray Tefila, will lead prayers and songs before everyone rises together for the traditional Kiddush.
Expect a mix of warmth, reflection, and celebration; the kind of energy that could only happen in New York. And while The Big Shabbat focuses on faith and community, visitors can pair their New York City trip with Broadway theater in NYC, exploring the best Broadway shows to see in New York before or after the big night.
Breaking Bread and Records
To claim the Guinness World Record, at least 2,323 guests must remain seated for one full hour, from the blessing over bread until the meal ends. A Guinness judge and 50 volunteers will verify attendance and timing.
Yet what makes this event remarkable isn’t the record; it’s the unity. For one hour, thousands of strangers will sit side by side, share challah, and celebrate what binds them together.
As the saying goes, “More than the Jewish people have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jewish people.”
A Culinary Dream Team
The four chefs curating the night represent generations of Jewish flavor and innovation. Adeena Sussman brings modern Jewish energy; Jake Cohen adds millennial flair with dishes inspired by his cookbook Jew-ish; Joan Nathan connects history with home cooking; and Beejhy Barhany celebrates the flavors of Ethiopia and the Jewish diaspora.
Together, they create more than a meal; they tell a story. It’s a story of resilience, creativity, and belonging.
The Magic of the Table
The magic of The Big Shabbat in NYC lies in its simplicity: people sharing food, song, and light. The table becomes a place where history meets the present. For families, it’s an introduction to Jewish culture. For long-time residents, it’s nostalgia served warm.
Every participant will also receive a “Shabbat Box” with challah covers, candlesticks, and conversation starters to take home; small mementos that encourage New Yorkers to keep the spirit of Shabbat alive long after the candles burn out.
The Spiritual Touch
At the center of the venue, a reproduction of the Western Wall (Kotel) will stand as a symbol of connection between NYC and Jerusalem.
Attendees can write personal prayers to be carried by one lucky guest on an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel. That person will place every note into the actual Western Wall — on behalf of everyone at The Big Shabbat in NYC.
It’s a powerful gesture that reminds participants that even in a city of skyscrapers, faith still touches the heavens.
A Celebration for Everyone
You don’t have to be religious to feel something at The Big Shabbat in NYC. You just have to show up. Whether you come for the music, the meaning, or just the sense of belonging, this event is for you.
It’s also one of the best tourist things to do in NYC, especially during Fall when the city’s cultural calendar is alive with festivals, parades, and activities in NYC that locals cherish.
Planning Your Shabbat in the City
Thousands gather beneath the dazzling New York skyline for The Big Shabbat NYC celebration.
If you’re visiting New York for the event, the best places to stay with family in New York are right nearby — from Hudson Yards to Midtown West. Book early; rooms at top hotels like the Equinox fill fast during big cultural weekends.
After the event, explore more of the city: from the hidden places in New York that tell its immigrant story, to small group tours of New York City visitors love.
You can even pair it with a New York in One Day Sightseeing Tour to experience Jewish, cultural, and historical landmarks all in one trip.
After the Candles Go Out
The night doesn’t end when the lights dim. The energy of The Big Shabbat NYC will ripple through the city long after. Participants will carry its warmth into their own homes, inspiring more dinners, more traditions, more connection.
That’s the real record being set; not numbers on a Guinness sheet, but hearts opened across New York.
One City, One Table
In a city famous for its hustle, The Big Shabbat in NYC invites everyone to pause; to sit, breathe, and connect. It reminds New Yorkers and visitors alike that shared traditions have the power to heal and unite.
From challah to song, from prayer to laughter, the night symbolizes everything that makes this city extraordinary: diversity, resilience, and joy.
Whether you’re here for top sight-seeing in New York, exploring one day guided tour of New York City itineraries, or simply seeking New York City visitor information, this Shabbat offers something far more meaningful than just a night out; it’s a moment in history.
For more guides, insider tips, and cultural highlights, explore VisitNYC.com — your trusted companion for discovering the soul of the city.
