The pasta was cooked and the vegetables were roasting. The table was set and the candlesticks were laid out… all of the sights and smells of Shabbat transformed our dining room from a regular table to a sacred space. We were only missing one thing…
One by one our guests began to arrive, to meet one another, and to mingle. Now it was really Shabbat.
Last Friday night, my husband Josh and I were so privileged to be able to share Shabbat dinner with several other couples in their 20’s and 30’s from Temple Emanuel. As we ate, drank and relaxed we found that we had so much more in common than just our Temple membership – though that was a great start. Over dinner we were able to connect and begin building friendships on a whole new level.
To break bread this way is a time honored Jewish tradition. From the moment that Abraham greeted guests in his tent with food and drink, we’ve learned that sharing a meal is a way of welcoming others into a community.
On Friday night, September 9th in honor of it’s Centennial, the Jewish Federation has reached out and asked 100 people to host Shabbat dinner in their homes. The response was astounding – they have found over 450 hosts so far, and they are still counting. Temple Emanuel would like to join in the effort. The Jewish Federation will provide information and materials to guide the experience. If you are willing to host a Shabbat dinner in your home on Friday night, September 9th or wish to attend one, please be in touch Katie Almaleh at kathleen@tebh.org. This is our community at its best: reaching out to one another, welcoming one another into our homes, and passing the Kiddush wine across the table with a smile.
I’ll be hosting dinner again that night, and I hope you will too. It will be a great opportunity to spread some Shabbat peace throughout our homes, and throughout our city.
I can practically taste the challah already…
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin
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