OneTable

Amazing organization that does a lot to bring Jews together over a Shabbat meal. I hosted a dinner and it went so well that we stayed late over tea and sweets. Everyone was really happy, and their first Shabbat with OneTable. We will do it again!

OneTable has given me the resources to organize LGBTQ Jewish community in the DC area. I feel very grateful for the financial support that they provide and also paper resources they create. My friends have come to expect the gathering as something to look forward to monthly and they even tell new friends to join as a good way to get connected to the LGBTQ Jewish community. OneTable has made Shabbat accessible to my community and part of our culture.

OneTable is an AMAZING organization that enables individuals to foster community in their homes, bringing together people of all backgrounds to schmooze and mingle. I am so thankful to have found OneTable and look forward to being a part of their community, as to continue to grow my community at home. Thanks OneTable for your invaluable work across the world!

Thanks to the generosity of OneTable, my partner and I have been able to host meaningful Shabbat dinners to grow and connect with our community. Without their incredible assistance, we wouldn't be able to create the same magical experiences out of comfortable, warm, and spirited Shabbat meals. I am so thankful for OneTable for their spirited encouragement of participation in Shabbat dinners - something I have not been able to do since I was a kid! I am so thankful for OneTable's continued support so I can keep hosting these wonderful meals, and I will certainly continue to lean on them as my partner and I dive deeper into our Jewish faith and become stronger in our traditions!

I have been hosting OneTable Shabbat dinners frequently thanks to the generous support of OneTable for assisting with the financial burden of providing food and additional resources to create a comfortable, warm, and spirited Shabbat meal for myself, friends, and other neighbors I've met and invited along the way. I am so thankful for OneTable for helping to encourage young participation in Shabbat dinners - a tradition I lost once I moved away from home and off to college/a new big city. One Table helped me make new friends in a new city when I didn't know many Jewish people, and now has given me the confidence and resources to host my own within my own community. I am so thankful for their continued support so I can keep up and grow my own traditions!

I am an Israeli emissary in the DC metro area and wanted to host dinners for 20s and 30s. Unfortunately my synagogue could not support the full meal so I heard of Onetable and referred to them. Not only has the financial support been meaningful but I have had the opportunity to meet people that I wouldn't have if it was not through this platform. Onetable helps making Shabbat dinners special and creates a new way to connect Jewish 20s and 30s.

Shabbat dinner has always been a meaningful time for me. I did not grow up with the tradition but cherished the times that I was invited to friend's houses to feel a part of the Friday night warmth and love.

Now that I am older and have a space I can invite others into, hosting Shabbat dinner is one of my favorite things to do. Without OneTable, however, I would have no way to open up my home to new faces or to afford enough Kosher food for everyone to leave satisfied. The nourishment funding has been absolutely critical since I have a Kosher kitchen and a Research Assistant's salary is not one that allows for self-funding a Kosher, home-cooked meal for 10.

Thank you OneTable!

OneTable has really helped me explore and alter my Shabbat rituals to stick with what works for me and my friends! We’ve developed a fabulous way to reconnect with each other and with our Judaism through the prayers and experiences that we choose to observe during the Sabbath. I’m so glad that I have had the opportunity to revisit and revamp Shabbat as an adult so that it works for me. This experience has helped me reconnect with my Judaism at large, and I have become more intentional about observing not just Shabbat but also other Jewish holidays.

Onetable is an amazing organization that helps me connect to Shabbat and bring all my friends together!

OneTable has empowered me to bring different types of young professionals together for meaningful, inspiring, and super fun dinner experiences. Without their guidance and funding, I would not be able to do this as often as I do. And these meals bring together Jewish young professionals of all denominations, backgrounds, and experiences, which ultimately allows each of us to learn, grow, and connect with people both similar to and different from ourselves. As young post-grads, this is not something that comes naturally to our age demographic, so I am beyond grateful that this organization helps us do this.

Love it! As a young professional looking to get more connected to the Jewish community in my area, this has been a blessing! I have been meeting great people, trying different foods, and spending Shabbat even better than when I was a kid. Thank you to the amazing team that has been helping me this year and makes this happen!

I absolutely love OneTable. As a millennial who loves to host events and get togethers, OneTable is a godsend (maybe literally since it’s Shabbat and G-d asked for a rest day??). Hosting is kind of a dying art form, so I am one of few people in my larger friend groups who hosts and it can quickly become a financial burden. OneTable allows me to share my heritage, elevate a normal Friday night dinner with nice wine or special flowers, and create new rituals with my friends in the city I call home.

One table is a great way to share Shabbat with old friends or share the holiday with new ones. I really appreciate how open it is to many different types of ways that people celebrate Shabbat and all of the amazing resources that they provide. The staff is very responsive and it seems to be very organized. I highly recommend this platform for any type of Jewish person who is trying to celebrate Shabbat!

I am so honored to share my experience with OneTable.

My first Shabbat dinner was amazing!!! I used the guide on One Table to prepare my guests for the different prayers, and explain the importance of each. It was amazing to have a mixed crowd of both Jewish partners and their significant others who were not Jewish. My Catholic friends remarked that the rituals were beautiful and that it makes them want to explore Judaism further. Overall, it was the most incredible time.

I cannot wait to host another Shabbat dinner in the near future. Thank you again for supporting my Jewish journey OneTable! L'chaim!

OneTable is such a unique and special organization. Shabbat is an important part of Judaism and can be challenging for many young adults. As a young adult who has hosted a Shabbat meal through OneTable, I recognize that while I don't observe Shabbat or celebrate it every week, it is an important aspect of my religion and a truly special aspect. There are limitations to what I can do and hosting a meal can be an ordeal. The support and encouragement of OneTable helps me reach what I'm capable of and gives me the outlet to host a meaningful meal at my home.

OneTable allows me to create meaningful Shabbat experiences that are inclusive and catered to my needs. I hosted the first shabbat in my first apartment through OneTable and will always remember it as a great night.

OneTable offers users a great way to help build community!

Such a supportive and thoughtful organization. Everyone I had contact with was enthusiastic and really helped me to provide a wonderful Shabbat.

OneTable helps us host wonderful Shabbat meals with friends without having to worry about financial restrictions! They are easy to work with and make the planning process a breeze. We appreciate all the support OneTable provides in terms of Shabbat resources as well.

OneTable lets me participate with my community in a way that's unique and manageable. Just last weekend, I hosted 12 people for a shabbat at my new place, and some of them did not have a place for shabbat and were in need. We sang, we talked, and we had an amazing experience thanks to OneTable.

OneTable has allowed me to connect in a deeper way to my religion, to connect on a more meaningful way with my friends, and gave me an excuse to FINALLY use my backyard for shabbat dinners! Without the responsive and friendly members of the OneTable team, I would not be hosting as often as I am, which would be a real "shanda!"

I wish them the best of luck in pursuing this awesome goal of bringing people together around the shabbat dinner table - they help to create a space in which people can question, connect, and unwind which is a blessing to anyone in today's fast-paced, high-stress world.

OneTable has impacted my life in so many facets. My Shabbat practice and appreciation has grown, my excitement to connect with new folks has strengthened, and I always know that I have community nearby to Shabbat with!

This organization has opened my eyes to the beautiful tradition of shabbat. I use to mainly go out on a Friday night to celebrate the end of a work week and catch up with friends. Now, I have friends over to celebrate shabbat and it is something I really look forward to! I also enjoy cooking so it is a great outlet for me to try new recipes and experiment. I am so happy I found OneTable!

OneTable has helped me come together with my Jewish community. I'm grateful for the community and support to host and attend wonderful Shabbat dinners. The spiritual guidance and nourishment truly help to elevate the meals.

OneTable is such an incredible and generous organization. They have made my connection with my cultural roots more possible and I'm so appreciative of the support they've shown my community!

I hadn't hosted a Shabbat dinner in over 10 years. It's expensive and I wasn't quite sure how to lead one on my own. OneTable not only provided funding and a means to collect payment from guests, but AMAZING resources on how to plan a successful Shabbat. The guides they provide and different types of Shabbats you can host as well as conversation starters, etc. was just what I needed to plan a successful Shabbat. Everyone kept saying how great the event was and how everyone wants to plan/attend another one. It was a great way to build community and bring Jews together.

One Table helped me organize a wonderful Shabbat dinner with my friends. The process was easy and welcoming for all, which enabled a uniting and meaningful experience

I love OneTable and use it to help me host Shabbat dinners—it's one of the only ways I feel a part of the Jewish community, which was crucial when I moved to a new city last year.

OneTable allows young Jews the resources and flexibility to engage with ancient ritual in a modern, adaptable way. It offers me and my friends a way to honor important traditions in a meaningful way that also fits our needs and wants as millennials. Based on my experience, Jews my age want to participate in Jewish community building and cultural activities, but don't know where or how. In hosting about once a month, I'm able to provide 10-15 young Jewish adults – friends and friends of friends – a regular medium to engage with Jewish tradition in a fun, social way that's true to all of our values.

OneTable truly helps me connect to my community and Judaism. The nurishment funds truly help contribute to a special meal.

We had an amazing dinner! It brought people together to share a meal over wine and challah. It was delicious and friendly! Only made possible with the help of One Table. Without help we would not have been able to host this amazing dinner! Thanks again!

OneTable is an amazing organization that provides an amazing resource for its members. I highly recommend OneTable!

Onetable has transformed my Shabbat experience. As a young professional not too close to my childhood home, I unfortunately find myself skipping Shabbat dinners and feeling both lonely and disengaged with Judaism. Onetable has allowed me to develop my Jewish experience as an adult, to share my customs, and to learn from others. I’ve made a few friends already who are repeat guests, and I’m learning more and more about how I will eventually want to raise my kids as I develop a sustained Jewish practice. As someone new to NYC who doesn’t go to synagogue frequently, Onetable has given me a community and empowered me as a host and leader. It’s invaluable and hands down the best part of what has been a great year.

As a nonprofit professional who has a limited budget for hosting communal dinners, OneTable makes it possible for me to invite friends to share in my personal Shabbat practice. The funding, staff support, resource guide, and local Pittsburgh connections inspire new ways to host and new ways to get my friends involved. OneTable has expanded my personal Shabbat practice since its launch in Pittsburgh and has added value to the experience.

Incredible org giving the much needed resources for everyone to create a meaningful Shabbat experience ranging from supporting financially with food costs as well as spiritually with guides on how to bring Shabbat to a whole new level. Told all my friends about this

OneTable allows me to celebrate my Jewish heritage by helping me host shabbat dinners and share the gift of community (and my Grandma's brisket recipe) with my friends and coworkers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. It allows me to create a space in my Park Slope apartment where we can celebrate our day of rest, relax, talk, and learn.

One Table is a great organization bringing people together for Shabbat meals. I've hosted in the past but have always felt guilty about charging guests. One table takes away that worry. Its an extremely easy and hassle free enrollment. I shared the experience with my entire circle and cannot wait to use One Table again.

OneTable allows me to host friends for Shabbat meals without being concerned that I am spending my entire paycheck. Having a home cooked meal and taking the time to sit and relax with friends after a busy week is incredibly important.

One Table is a really helpful nonprofit for those wishing to host a shabbat dinner for young people in their community. I always wanted to host a lot of people, especially those who do not have a regular shabbat experience every week, or those who want more positive Judaism in their lives. One table allows me to do that for members in my community. This past Friday night I hosted a dinner for friends. We integrated mindfulness together with Shabbat. We discussed the feminine role in candle lighting and we each spoke about a woman in our lives who have empowered us. Additionally, through another of one table's resources I did a sitting mindfulness exercise at the table and that brought us back into the present when our conversation got heated up ;)

I've hosted Shabbat dinner and attended dinners with One Table -- all have been absolutely fabulous. The organization prepares new hosts extremely well with materials, step-by-step guides, and recommendations along the way. They also make it very easy to use their website to register as a host or guest, which is so refreshing! But more importantly, OneTable fills a void in our community. By bringing people together -- whether they're new friends, new to town, or existing connections -- OneTable events helps Jewish young adults connect and share experiences in their community. It's more intimate than the typical happy hour or networking event, so you have more time to meet people one-on-one. It's one of the best Jewish programs I've been involved with!

Overall, I have been very impressed with OneTable. I think they they are doing a great service to the Jewish young adult community by supporting us in putting on Shabbat dinners that strengthen our connections with each other and our faith. Using OneTable helps to organize the dinner, including guest list, as well as provide nourishment credits in the form of a gift card to a national or local grocery store, or restaurant. Shabbat practices and dinners are one of my favorite things about Judaism and OneTable is a great resource whether you host dinners or not.

OneTable has helped me create and find a community in the past two cities I've lived in. I'm so grateful for their support in creating Shabbat dinners that allow me to gather new and old friends to create an intentional community. Thank you OneTable for allowing me to love hosting Shabbat and for making it possible for me to meet others who share the value of gathering over good food on Friday nights :)

OneTable is an amazing organization that supports me and so many in my community with the resources to bring people together to observe and honor Shabbat together, which nourishes our weeks and builds deeper community.

I am only able to share my skill and love of hosting Friday night meals because of the support from OneTable. I love knowing that my guests begin their weekend making meaningful memories around the table I create.

Great experience working with this non-profit over the past five years. As a recent college grad they have enabled me to become more involved in my community by providing nourishment and resources to host Shabbat dinners for friends and the community.

OneTable is revitalizing the Jewish community by bringing people together in intimate settings. I absolutely love it and they are easy and great to communicate with on an administrative level too.

I have been embarking on a project this past year to connect to global Jewish history and culture through food stories, as well as using Shabbat dinners as a way to bring diverse community together and discuss difficult issues across difference. OneTable has been amazingly supportive in terms of making these dinners possible through buying the food, as well as providing coaching, resources, and check-ins to make sure that my guests are enjoying their experiences. I am so grateful for OneTable helping me to build community and re-connect to my love of Judaism.

OneTable has allowed me to host Sabbath dinners to bring people together from all walks of life. I've been able to share Shabbat with my coworkers, close friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Without OneTable, my Shabbat experience would not be the same. This amazing organization brings people together!

OneTable is a great partner to work with and offer wonderful support to be able to create community events, specifically Shabbat dinners. OneTable helps me with being able to provide higher quality food for my guests, which helps me better engage with my target demographic. Staff are very responsive and care about their program and hosts who interact and use their platform as well.

OneTable is changing the way millennials celebrate Shabbat. By empowering young professionals to build their community in a manner that is meaningful to them, OneTable is empowering an experience that is more enjoyable and more authentic.

OneTable's mission and openness to all participants enables me to organize a group of around 70 young adults on a monthly basis and provide food in an effort to cultivate a unique, warm community. I have been participating in their program for over a year and I would not be able to organize my community gathering without them! The staff are innovative and enthusiastic.

OneTable is a terrific organization. Their mission to bring Shabbat to the home, create long lasting connections and promote mindfulness are supported by a strong level of operational excellence. I have hosted 9 dinners through OneTable, and would absolutely recommend their services. Many thanks!

OneTable has helped me to bring my community together on Friday nights. The staff is incredible and allows follows up with me after each dinner. OneTable is particularly special when I have visitors in town and can bring everyone together over Shabbat!

I started dating my fiancé Daniel almost four years ago to the day. At the time, I had no idea he was Jewish, I just knew we were in love. It wasn’t until months later that I learned from his parents what a chaos it would be that he was Jewish and I was Christian. They only wanted Daniel dating a Jewish girl, and I was not nearly acceptable. I was excluded from all family events, and the stress on our relationship seemed insurmountable. This went on for over a year. I had the worst impression of the Jewish religion, and of Jewish people. I couldn’t identify with Jewish people and I couldn’t begin why something as joyful as religion would tear apart families as it had my fiancés. Then one night I went to a One Table Shabbat held by a friend, Arielle. I didn’t realize it was a “Jewish” thing, I just thought it was a dinner party. Everyone was warm and welcoming. Talking about the week and spending that Friday night relaxing and reflecting was so nice over wine and candles. I went a few more times before I began hosting my own. I was excited to host my own- I thought it would be a really nice start to Daniel and I having our own religious identities. Our friends loved to come over on Fridays and shared with us in our practice of reflecting over the week and unwinding. A bit after that, I started working on our own religious holiday dinners. I didn’t have the slightest idea how to cook a roast or what prayers to say- but I was ready to try. My new One table Shabbat coach Amanda, along with Marina helped me to figure out what to say and do- and how to peel so many potatoes! One table hooked us up with so many resources- a synagogue, a community, fantastic Friday nights, prayer books but most of all our own Jewish identities.

I love hosting Shabbat dinners for my community in the Bay Area!!! Since hearing about OneTable, my partner and I have hosted almost ten Shabbat dinners, usually with 10-15 friends at each one. I think OneTable uniquely meets the needs of Jewish Millennials around the US.

I am in graduate school and it can be expensive to host large dinners. Through OneTable we have been able to host proper Shabbats with wine, challah, and a plentiful communal table. Because of OneTable, I have been able to get more in touch with my Judaism through a rich network of friends around our own kitchen table. We have even hosted themed shabbats for Sukkot and Rosh Hashanah, and I have experimented with making my own challah and matzo balls. When friends of mine have moved to new cities in this past year, they have looked to OneTable to find open Shabbat dinners to meet people in their new community.

Through OneTable I am learning a lifelong practice of gathering around the Shabbat table with loved ones.

Onetable should be called Twotables. I love the concept of onetable, but I live in NYC and keep Shabbat;finding a onetable Shabbat dinner is nearly impossible since like 85% of the 100 or so dinners listed on onetable are private. I have to travel a great distance from my my neighborhood when five or six dinners are practically next door to me- but they are PRIVATE! Why support people who want to restrict and exclude others- kind of defeats the whole purpose of it all.

I never had any problems as Davidoff123 had. The few open to the public dinners were fine , but Davidoff123 is right about the "private only" dinners. Not cool, not fair- really sucks! It is hypocritical, cruel and confounding.

ONETABLE encourages Jews to desecrate the Sabbath is what OneTable does well. I have been at a few Onetable "Friday dinners" and keeping, protecting and worshipping on the most holiest of days is not on the agenda. Shame on the Rabbi who is on their payroll. This is a poorly executed production and brain child of the Principal of OneWallPartners.com and a job program for the other Principal's relation at $200,000 plus a year.

"One Wall Partners is a national real estate investment company focused on multifamily assets. Our vertically integrated platform incorporates acquisition, development, construction-management, property-management and asset-management of multifamily communities. This operating platform allows us to control delivery outcomes for physical assets as well as consumer experience, ultimately maximizing value for our stakeholders."

Internal rate of return 16%.


Target minority areas like Newark and gentrify as you create insecure renters and covert them into cash registers for investors gain. Think Jared Kushner, but in Newark... "Giving Back Always"

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/magazine/jared-kushners-other-real-estate-empire.html

American Jews sadly have lost their ways and would never put money or devote an organization towards the most marginalzed and most needy and impoverished Jews in the U.S. No nothing for the lonely Jews who are elderly, poor, mentally ill or disabled. Could they use OneTable? OPPORTUNISTIC RATE OF RETURN 16%- wow! Turning Misery of Others into a Profit Center.

I have been a part of the One Table community in NYC and DC for the past three years now. I have felt welcomed by every staff member, host and dinner guest so far. One Table works to empower its community to expand and elevate their Shabbat practice - which can mean something different for everyone! The organization works with each individual host to support their vision for shabbat, as long as it is inclusive and respectful. One Table works to create a community in each hub city, and encourages dinner hosts to invite guests they may not know well yet. I have been to dinners with best friends and complete strangers, and I have been to small and large event partnerships/community events. Every single interaction I have had with One Table has been unique in theme, location, or hosting style, but extremely consistent in being a welcoming, relaxing, energizing, wonderful experience in which I feel comfortable and fulfilled. I look forward to being a part of the One Table community for a very long time.

Davidoff123:

I want to start by saying that I am incredibly sorry that you and your partner have had such negative experiences at Shabbat dinners. No one should face discrimination based on their identity.

My name is Al Rosenberg, and I am the Director of Marketing and Communications at OneTable. I wanted to personally reach out to you so that we can prevent experiences like yours from occurring again. We at OneTable believe in radical hospitality, which is why, after months of hosting my own Queer Shabbats, I joined the OneTable team.

As you know, OneTable is a national nonprofit with limited funding to help empower hosts in their 20s and 30s to create their own Shabbat dinner practices. This means that every dinner looks different, from the food to the rituals, and that Hosts choose whether their dinners are private or welcome to strangers.

We care very deeply about the experience of our Hosts and Guests at these dinners. I ask that you please reach out to me so that we can discuss the experiences you cite in your review. As stated in our Code of Conduct, “We do not tolerate discrimination or disrespect related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, technology choices, Jewish knowledge, practice, and ritual (or lack thereof).”

To respond to your review’s mention of interfaith marriage: OneTable has no stance on interfaith marriages. Many of our staff members, myself included, are partnered to individuals of other religious and cultural backgrounds.

Please email me at AlexandraR@onetable.org.

To Davidoff123, ONETABLE.ORG is a freakin" awesome non-profit and provides a platform for young Jews in their 20's and 30's to meet on Shabbat. It is funded by Jewish orgs. and Jewish fdns. explicitly for young Jews! BirthRight is for young Jews and guess what? So is this one! Too bad, so read the next paragraph. Get back into reality cretin.
The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation, the Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, The Crown Family Philanthropies, Joyce & Irving Goldman Foundation, David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, UJA-Federation of New York, Neshamot Fund, JEWISHColorado, Breakthrough Fund at Jewish United Fund, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Morningstar Foundation, The Marcus Foundation, Mitch and Joleen Julis, William Davidson Foundation, Righteous Persons Foundation and the Dorot Foundation. Proud Jewish Organizations supporting Jews.
The mission statement of the ONETABLE.ORG is clear "OneTable empowers Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s to build micro-communities by creating their own authentic Shabbat dinners." ONETABLE.ORG goes on to state that "The OneTable community is made up of people in their 20s and 30s, over 21, not in college, and without children, looking to find and share this powerful experience." Yes it does state for obvious legal requirements that: " Guests of any and all religions and cultures are welcome." ONETABLE.ORG goes on to state that "Share what you love with people you love, and belong to something bigger." I saw no love coming from my hosts to you or your partner! ONETABLE.ORG states: "We make it simple to find, share, and enjoy the power of capping the week with a relaxing, rejuvenating, and spiritual communal experience." That's not happening when you are there!!!
"Join the table and sit side by side with friends, new and old, to create a space to share a Jewish experience and belong to something bigger." WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? My hub manager told me that I have the right to exclude people who I don't feel comfortable with. You were given the green light to come to my dinner on Friday and you brought your lover to the dinner without notification! Anywho according to the Jewish religion, if your mother is NOT Jewish then you are NOT Jewish. So your boyfriend does NOT make the cut. I live in a luxury condominium building and I have a right to call security and have you and your partner escorted out of my building. None of the guests felt comfortable about your criticism of Israel. I won't tolerate it and neither will my friends! I have done countless party meals with ONETABLE.ORG and I never had an incident like this; so now all my parties are PRIVATE. Your claim that this is a "tinder like gathering" is your problem, since ONETABLE.ORG specifies "Jewish 20's and 30's, not in college, without children." Get it! It is for Jewish Singles. Check out the ONETABLE.ORG video. You see the type of people that ONETABLE wants? I could not care if there are a hundred thousand homeless in my city! This is about funding and supporting a dwindling minority; overwhelmed by intermarriage.
If you are not satisfied with my hosting or ONETABLE.ORG then why don't you start your own organization that meets you needs. Should you upload any video of me or my guests to your website ONETABLE.NET then I will have my father who is a corporate lawyer sue you. If you write stuff about me and my friends and name them you will pay for these crimes. ONETABLE does NOT SPECIFY HOW AND WHAT TO DO ON SHABBAT SO DON'T TELL ME ABOUT NON-KOSHER meat being served at my dinner or lack of spiritual worship bull. I can serve spam if I feel like it! Your pot claim is so bogus!
The only problem I have with ONETABLE is that the $15 nourishment credit per person is not sufficient, and we have to supply the alcohol and deserts ourselves, but my hub manager promised to lobby for an increase. ONETABLE.ORG is about creating OUR own individual MICRO-COMMUNITY every Friday night!

I work for OneTable as the National Community Manager. I get to work with hosts in over 100 cities across the country supporting their efforts to build community and both share and explore their Friday night Shabbat dinner practice.

What drew me to OneTable was this Jewish non-profit was like no other I'd ever seen. The focus is the user experience, which speaks directly to the millennial generation we aim to serve. Not only are we meeting these 20's and 30's hosts and guests where they are, in their communities, but also with amazing technology that speaks to their lifestyle. The user is the creator of their own experience, as hosts get to decide what their dinners will look like. Instead of participating in ritual and practice because they are told to, users get to share and explore both traditional and alternatives to rituals to make it their own. Opting in to ritual and observance means there is a higher chance the user will create an enduring Friday night Shabbat practice for their lives.

OneTable focusses on Shabbat dinners and hospitality. Using a social dining platform to allow users to find the dinner that best suites them means there is something for everyone. Coaching hosts on the art of hospitality and the value of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests) helps elevate the dinners to feel special, like Shabbat. Actual Coaches are offered as a resource to support hosts and help them think through everything from ritual to menu planning, ice breakers and recipe ideas, so that hosts feel both competent and confident in opening their homes.

There is nothing like OneTable out there. We don't require folks to go somewhere to do their Jewish, but instead, encourage people to bring Shabbat into their lives wherever they are and however it fits, knowing that they will want to do more. OneTable is an amazing resource and community for 20's and 30's folks across the country to end their weeks with intention and with each other.

I self identify as a Queer Jew, and my wife, who is not-Jewish, and I love the idea of opening our home and creating a practice together. We light the candles and bless the challah, often adding in reflections from the week, and a practice of gratitude and loving kindness as we head into the long awaited weekend. We really do feel like the best way to end the week is with good food, good wine, good intentions, and the best of friends.

OneTable is a fraud and hosts (as well as guests) discriminate based on age, race, sexual orientation and religion. I have attended at least three dozen OneTable dinners with my partner who is African-American and Christian, but his father is an Ashkenazi Jew. At first I thought that it would be a great way to introduce him to Shabbat, but OneTable turned out to be more like navigating an obstacle course, as many OneTable meals we attended were disenfrachised or we encountered push back & "resistance". We were denied entry twice! From an anthropological stand point we continue to go to these "meals" due to it being more of a curiosity as to what will encounter this time. The smarter hosts who use OneTable to subsidize their endevours use OneTable as a free ride and exclude the general public by making their dinners PRIVATE- stay out of our... Donors don't realize what they are really subsidizing every Friday.
OneTable's mission statement is "OneTable empowers Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s to build micro-communities by creating their own authentic Shabbat dinners. Our goal is to introduce Shabbat dinner to millennials and support them as they personalize the ritual and begin forming a Shabbat practice...
After speaking with "a member of the team" I was told that the impetus for OneTable is the fear and concern regarding American Jewish rates of intermarriage and OneTable is an attempt to get young Jews to meet and hook up under the guise of a neutral and pressure free setting- Shabbat. At $15 a pop to finance a dinner plate while NYC is experiencing a record epidemic of homelessness; how bizzare. This is white privilage at its worse and these educated as well as entitled should know better! I get a taste of how interracial couples felt down south during the 60's. People should realize that hosts deny entry at will and feel that they can exclude and do as they please.
"OneTable is uber-inclusive. At OneTable, we want you to spend Friday night with the people who YOU want to spend your Friday night with – guests of any and all religions and cultures are welcome." So OneTable states in their site, BUT read the next line.
"If you don’t identify in our demographic, please contact your city’s Hub Manager or Rabbi Jessica Minnen, and we can help you find organizations and initiatives with resources that are right for you".
OneTable is not uber-inclusive and since we are in our late thirties and my boyfriend is black we found that we were not really welcome and asked to "find other organizations that we can identify with". "Are you sure you are 39 years old?" was not uncommon to hear. Some of the interactions at these tinder like dinners was demoralizing for me and my boyfriend, and we had to document this since we at first could not believe it ourselves. Celebrating the Shabbat of my youth growing up in an Orthodox home I know what Shabbat is and what it is not; OneTable hosts and celebrants make a mockery of Shabbat. Some hosts allow pot to be smoked and shared and the alcohol flows too freely.
It is clear to me that "the team" at OneTable don't give a blank about our treatment, so I have taken the intitiative to use my professional skills to expose this organization that is nothing but a farce. I bought the domain ONETABLE.NET and I will post the videos I took of our awful interactions with OneTable hosts and guests. One of the hosts took us aside and told us that we "just do not fit in". I will also post the emails and messages that hosts have "shared" with me as they felt it their duty to help me find a better fit. I feel ashamed to be Jewish. I will be filing a compliant with the IRS and sending in my evidence that clearly shows that this non-profit discriminates by race, religion, sexual orientation and age. I really need to shut down this organization. If you were excluded or denied entry to OneTable free dinners please contact us at our site which will be up soon.