Home Hospitality Shabbat
Want to celebrate Shabbat at home? Want to get to know people in your neighborhood? Want to learn about Shabbat rituals and customs in a supportive atmosphere?
If you do, come join our Home Hospitality Shabbat program! Just fill out this handy sign-up form.
Here’s how it works:
- People will take turns hosting and being guests
- We will match people up based on (1) neighborhood (2) kids (3) kosher-isms
- It will be a vegetarian potluck – everyone has to contribute, even as a guest (but hey, that’ll make it easier to host)
- We will provide a guidebook/songbook to anyone who wants it
- We’ll provide ceremonial training to anyone who wants it (we want to help you)
- Cost - Partners: free. Non-partners: $30, to cover materials and admin. expenses
The 5 possible dates (you pick at least 2):
- Oct. 23, 2009
- Nov. 13, 2009
- Dec. 4, 2009
- Jan. 8, 2010
- Feb. 5, 2010
Three important comments from the heart:
1. A few people have said that they feel self-conscious about their homes, because they aren’t fancy.
Ilana says: If you have 4 walls and a roof, that’s all you need. Some of the best Shabbat dinners I’ve ever experienced have been in cramped studio apartments. Heck, I have 15 roommates (!) and hardly any furniture, but I host amazing Shabbat dinners. What’s my secret? I try to focus on having a friendly and meaningful Shabbat experience, and I don’t worry about anything else. Some people in this community have a lot of money, and others have very little money. I can’t change that. But we’re still a community, and we’re in this together – the most important thing is the warmth of your hospitality, and the kindness we show to each other. That’s what really matters.
2. A few people have said they feel self-conscious about their lack of Jewish knowledge.
Ilana says: Nobody is born knowing anything. It’s okay to not know stuff, so please don’t feel bashful about it. We’re all here because we want to learn, and grow, together. So please – ask questions! If you just ask, Rachel (or me) will sit down with you, and personally teach you everything you need to know. We’ll give you all the materials. You can do this, and we will help you.
3. A few people have asked who they will be set up with.
Ilana says: We don’t know yet. I see this as a giant logistical puzzle, and I’ll do my best to make it all work. My most important criteria in matching people up are (1) that they live close to each other, and (2) that their kids are of the same age, or, if they don’t have kids and want an adults-only Shabbat, that they have that. When you sign up, I’ll ask how many people you can fit at your table/home, and I will honor that. If you have specific issues (i.e. deathly allergic to cats) let me know and we’ll figure it out.
Want to sign up? Just fill out the form! (And we ask non-partners to pay $30/household.)
Have questions or concerns? Contact Us!