Yes, It Counts – Shabbat Your Way

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Dear Beloved Shomrei Community –

We did it!  Last month 56 individuals and families from Shomrei either had or hosted Shabbat dinner.  We’re hoping to have 50+ again for Shabbat Your Way this month, February 23, 2024.   Our goal is to become a community where at least 100 out of our 225 individual and family members have or host Shabbat dinner at least once a month.

The most common question I heard this past month was – does this count?

  • If I always have Shabbat dinner every week, does it count?
  • If I am out of town and I have Shabbat dinner in a restaurant, does it count?
  • If we watch a movie after dinner, does it count?
  • If we only light Shabbat candles, does it count?
  • If I prefer to have Shabbat dinner at home by myself, does it count?
  • If the kids only want to sit at the table for 5 minutes, does it count?
  • If I serve dinner on my wedding china, does it count?

YES, it counts!

Thank you to everyone who hosted friends (old and new) for Shabbat dinner in January.  We appreciate the effort it took to open your table and your home to others.  And thank you to everyone who had Shabbat dinner and told us about it so you could help us reach our goal.

This month, February 23, we are focusing on inviting new and prospective members to Shabbat dinner.  If you’d like to open your table, let us know.

Email us at email hidden; JavaScript is required to add your name to the list, to get advice on any aspect of Shabbat dinner, to make requests, or to offer a seat at your table.

Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Julie

Here are examples of Shabbat Your Way from January:

A Flexible Shabbat at the home of Lynne & Lanny Kurzweill

Our son and daughter-in-law, Martin & Fiona, and grandchildren, Jack (10) & Micah (8), have been living with us while their house is being renovated. This was their schedule on Friday, January 26 – Martin was heading home from a business trip, Lanny was taking Micah to Cub Scouts which started at 6:30 pm, Fiona was taking Jack to Karate class which runs from 5:45 – 6:30 pm.

And this is how we welcomed Shabbat:

  • Micah needed to eat at 5:45pm before scouts and he didn’t want to miss Challah so we (Lanny, Micah and I) said the motzi
  • Jack and Fiona came home a little after 7pm and then lit the candles and made kiddish with me.
  • Then Martin walked through the door and we ate dinner!

Celebrating Shabbat at a restaurant in DC – Rachel Kanter

This past Shabbat we were in DC visiting Siona for Senior Parents Weekend at Georgetown. On Friday night we went out to eat after going to services at Jewish Life/HIllel. At the restaurant, with the family sitting around a beautifully decorated table, without Shabbat candles or challah, but with a glass of wine, we wished each other “Good Shabbos” and included Pacey via text who is studying in Madrid. We then toasted a “L’Chaim” just like my Bubbie and Zayde would do when I was growing up. Being together and making space for Shabbat was our Shabbat Your Way.

Shabbat Dinner in Florida – Natalie Baff

We are in West Palm Beach, FL for the winter. All the ladies made the blessing over the Shabbat candles. Shabbat service was followed by Shabbat dinner, Matzoh ball soup & Fillet Mignon. Photo of Rabbi & Natalie Baff chanting Kiddush.

Shabbat Shalom,
Natalie and Bruce Baff

Shabbat DInner at the Szyfer’s home

Challah for Shabbat – Joshua Hirsh

We usually have some sort of Shabbat dinner, even if it’s not always the most traditional. But my sister was visiting this morning so she and Lyla made challah for this evening.

Shabbat Potluck in Verona – Servanaz Singh

 

 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this message was originally emailed to the congregation on Thursday, February 15.

Rabbi Julie Roth
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