Elyssa Hammerman is a OneTable host and coach who grew up in New York and moved to Denver nine years ago. She spent the past 7 summers at Ramah in the Rockies and studied at Pardes in Israel.

Confession: I’m generally not a super competitive person, but apparently the OneTable Colorado Passbook is proving to be one place where my competitive side comes OUT. Why, you ask? Honestly, I want a free ski pass. And cooking lessons, and restaurant coupons… who doesn’t? But the best part? All I have to do is attend Shabbat dinners and events, spend time with old friends, and meet new friends. Okay okay, convinced. The Passbook challenge is on.

Now I am a little bitter that I can’t check off “Host your first Shabbat dinner” or “attend your first Shabbat dinner” since I did these before the passbook was out, but I’m getting over it. So far I’m off to a good start. I’ve brought a friend to a dinner, attended the YAD shabbat at the Botanic Gardens, attended a Flatiron Tribe Event (Ignite Boulder), attended a OneTable shabbat dinner in the mountains (Backcountry Bayit…Amazing), attended a JEWISHcolorado event (Menorah Lighting), and after this week, I’m excited to be able to check off “Co-Host” a OneTable shabbat dinner. I’m already looking forward to checking off “attend a pop-up shabbat” after the River and Woods dinner (which I hope you’re all coming to). Shabbat is truly a special time of the week for me and I love the opportunity to celebrate it differently each week. Good luck as you complete your Passbooks, CO… bring on the (friendly) competition.

Don’t have your passbook yet? Running out of stickers? Email Scott@onetable.org to pick up yours.