Nefesh Shabbat Community Dinners

SHABBAT COMMUNITY DINNERS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On the fourth Friday of each month, we have a special night of Shabbat Community Dinners to deepen connections at Nefesh. It is a great opportunity for Nefesh Kin to host a Shabbat gathering with community members in your homes. Often, newcomers to Nefesh find that attending these intimate gatherings is a less overwhelming way to get to know other community members than attending a Shabbat service. Or, you might be a Nefesh veteran who wants to get better acquainted with people you see at every Shabbat service.  

The following are some frequently asked questions we’ve gotten about hosting a Shabbat Community Dinner. We hope this information will encourage you to host one of your own!  As always, please feel free to reach out to Shelley Levine, our Shabbat dinner coordinator, at shelleyrlevine@gmail.com.  

Thank you so much for making this meaningful offering for our community!

How do I go about hosting a dinner? Where do I sign up to host?

You can sign up to host a dinner HERE. All of the dates for the duration of the year are listed; you can sign up for just one date or as many as you like.

Who do I invite to my dinner? What if I’m not comfortable with a lot of new people coming to my house?

A great way to make the dinner enjoyable for you is to plan on inviting some guests of your own, Nefesh-adjacent or otherwise. Then, leave 1-4 seats at your table (or more, as you’re comfortable with) for guests to sign up. These folks are really excited to join you.

Can I offer my dinner to a particular affinity group, such as a Young Families Shabbat or Queer Shabbat?

Yes! If you’d like to get a specific group of folks together, just indicate this on the form when you sign up to host. This is a great way to meet folks with similar interests!

Am I supposed to prepare the dinner myself? 

If you love cooking, by all means, feel free to cook the meal yourself! Alternatively, if this feels like a burden, you can opt to have the dinner be a potluck and communicate with your guests in advance of the dinner exactly what you’d like them to bring.

Is there something specific I’m supposed to serve at Shabbat dinner?

While you may have eaten a traditional Shabbat dinner of roast chicken, you have free rein to choose whatever you’d like to serve. We typically encourage pescatarian or vegetarian meals, but you are not limited to what you choose to offer. Be creative – maybe it’s a “Make Your Own Sushi Shabbat” or “Shabbat Pizza Party”. Endless possibilities!

Does the dinner I serve have to be kosher?

No, you are not obligated to serve a kosher meal; however, please be sensitive to the needs of your guests who do observe kosher dietary laws. If you have any questions about what is appropriate, please reach out to Ellen for guidance.

What if my guests are allergic to my pet? What if they have accessibility needs or food restrictions?

Every guest is asked to list any allergies to food or otherwise when they sign up, and also to disclose what their food restrictions are. If you have a guest who is vegan, you are not expected to prepare a fully vegan meal. Just be sure to have a couple of things on the menu that each guest can enjoy. Accessibility issues should please be named on your host sign up so that we can best accommodate both you and your guests.

This all sounds like fun, but the thought of making dinner for a huge group of people sounds expensive!

We get it. In order to offset the costs, Nefesh will reimburse you $10/guest after your dinner has occurred. Each guest makes a contribution before they attend, and we’ve found that this offering also means fewer last-minute cancellations.

Do I have to do all the traditional prayers?

Only if you want to. Many hosts light candles, bless the wine and challah, and offer a moment of reflection or gratitude. Feel free to adapt the rituals to your community’s vibe.

I live in a small space—can I still host?
Yes! Shabbat is about the spirit, not the size. Guests can sit on cushions, share plates, or gather around a coffee table. Coziness creates connection.Can I co-host with a friend?
Absolutely. Teaming up makes hosting easier and more fun. One person can cook while the other sets the vibe or leads the blessings.