This qualitative study describes the nature and meaning of engagement in the religious ritual activities of the Jewish Sabbath from the perspectives of nine residents with mild to moderate dementia, five family members, and six staff involved in the residents' care. As well, it provides insights into the social, environmental, and occupational factors that sustained, enabled, or obstructed engagement. Data were gathered via in-depth interviews and participant observation, and a constant comparative approach was used to guide the analysis. For the person with dementia, the findings address the facilitative role of meaningful religious ritual activities (embedded in preserved long term memories) in sustaining personhood and enabling engagement in meaningful occupation. These findings have implications in the areas of staff and family caregiver education and the planning of care environments.