Aiming to empower young adults in the Jewish community in America, the ‘OneTable’ initiative has helped thousands of people plan and host Shabbat dinners creating an open space for attendees to engage in discussions with their peers to search for options and remedies to promote wellbeing, individual as well as collective by coming to one table.
Shabbat literally means ’rest’ or ‘cessation’ and is Judaism‘s day of rest on the seventh day of the week – Saturday. Shabbat dinners are held on Friday evenings, and says the website of OneTable, an initiative of a dynamic social-entrepreneur Aliza Kline: “Shabbat is a time to glow, to savor the moment before moving on the what’s next, to appreciate the gift of gathering, to welcome your loved ones and someone new to your Friday night.” Food is not food here, but the nurturing-elevation of the spirit and the soothing-nourishment attained by the soul.
Shabbat dinner is one of several occasions which bring family and friends together to connect in-person. Many Americans in their 20s and 30s are struggling. Coming out of the pandemic, the pressures of social media, rampant schisms, political polarization and financial constraints have contributed to make young adults stressed and feel powerless.
Interpersonal connections can surely help people live better. New research shows the power of finding common ground can build such connections, thereby leading to stable mental health and overall personal growth by way of ameliorating isolation, loneliness, stress, depression and anxiety.
In a chaotic world, even the little quality-time that presents a rare occasion to share creativity, space and time once a week can truly make an impact when discussion happens on issues and concerns affecting those in the group. In a group-setting, insecurities and fears are vanquished instantaneously, worries and inhibitions vanish and all of this energy of positivity generates a divine ambiance, which results in multiple solutions emerging spontaneously from within those who were seeking answers from others in the group.
These were some of the ideas which prompted and inspired Aliza Kline to launch ‘OneTable’ nearly a decade ago.
Aliza Kline wrote in an article for Religion New Service: “We surveyed 2,000 young adults who have hosted or been guests at a dinner through OneTable, and they overwhelmingly say that they’ve become closer with people and ‘felt less lonely.’ The dinners have also led to new friendships: 1 in 3 guests surveyed met up again with someone they met at a dinner on one table.
“Beyond making connections, young adults search for inviting spaces to share feelings and thoughts about their personal lives, fears and ambitions. They are deeply influenced by the world they see and experience around them — and as one young person put it, Shabbat dinner offers ‘community, safety, and freedom’.
“Importantly, and somewhat surprisingly given the polarization we see on social media, not everybody is looking for a group of like-minded individuals. Many young adults want to be with people who will be supportive, respectful and understanding, even when having difficult discussions and disagreements.
“While Shabbat dinners impact all who attend, we have found they make the deepest impact on the hosts, likely because hosts have a stronger sense of agency over their gathering. ”
The concept of Shabbat dinners could be adapted and adopted to support and empower people of all faiths and no faith. One can venture to advocate ‘Inter-Faith Dinner Conclaves’, with the added advantage of providing opportunities to learn about various religions, races, ethnicities, cultures, ceremonies, festivals, traditions, languages and attire, all while tasting new cuisines to the accompaniment of lilting world-music and diverse dance-forms. It would enhance ‘Divinity and Spirit of Oneness of Humanity’ leading to harmonious co-existence.
To learn more about ‘OneTable’, visit onetable.org
Kosher for Shabbat meal
Shabbat traditionally includes three required meals: Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch, and the third meal in late afternoon. For non-Orthodox Jews, Friday night dinner is the most popular Shabbat meal. Typical Shabbat foods include challah (braided bread) and wine, which are both blessed before the meal begins. Eating meat is traditional on Shabbat as Jews historically considered meat a luxury and a special food. However, vegetarians can have a choice of Shabbat foods.
