Please welcome Maya, our new Bay Area Field Manager, to the OneTable team! Maya was born and raised in a multicultural home in Oakland, California. She explored and (reluctantly) fell in love with the East Coast while completing her B.A. and M.A. at Clark University in Massachusetts. She interned and studied abroad where she learned about building community across global contexts and bringing people together. One of Maya’s favorite things to do while traveling is meeting with local Jewish communities. She sees sharing stories, traditions, and values as central to our growth as a global community. She currently enjoys rediscovering the Bay Area and has a lot of pride in her city; the diverse communities, rich history, and incredible food. Maya is really looking forward to engaging with her surrounding communities and joining the wonderful team at OneTable as the Bay Area Field Manager!
Reach out to say hi and get to know a little about her:

What brings you to OneTable?

When I finished High School and moved away from home to study abroad and then go to University, I found I really missed my Jewish community. As I got more involved, I learned that building and being a part of intentional Jewish communities gave me community. I love bringing people together around common values and strengthening our sense of belonging. I joined OneTable to be able to provide those resources — that grounding feeling of community — to those around me. It’s a true joy getting to learn more about the different aspects of OneTable and how the mission aligns with my own.

What one food are you bringing to a deserted island?

Chocolate.

What’re you most looking forward to doing in your new role?

Meeting new people and hearing from individuals about their inspiration to host Shabbat dinners. I’m also so excited to share and exchange ideas of how to enrich the culture of Shabbat and build an inclusive community.

What does Shabbat dinner mean to you?

Shabbat dinner is a time to build bridges, be thankful, and enjoy amazing food with community. I love how it is an age old ritual that is so relevant to today; allowing us a time to relax, be present and appreciate the simple things.

What’s your favorite ritual and why?

Prayer. Whether participating in it or just listening, I love the ritual. The idea of elevating one’s self and community to a common holy space.

Favorite challah, and can you bake it?

Cinnamon Challah is my favorite. I can bake it, but am never satisfied with my own. I also love ANY challah from Grand bakery!