Phoenix, meet your new Community Ambassador: Aleeza!

Please welcome Aleeza, our Phoenix Community Ambassador, to the OneTable team! Aleeza is joining OneTable after several years working in Behavioral Health. She remains passionate about mental health and substance abuse recovery. Aleeza believes everyone holds the potential to better their lives with the right skills and support. She still works in that industry part-time. Outside of work, Aleeza explores her passion of Latin dance with styles like salsa and bachata and even a Brazilian style of dance called Brazilian Zouk. If there is a dance floor, you can count on finding her there!  Aleeza moved to Phoenix to study at ASU and decided to stay after graduating due to her love for the city. Aleeza’s experiences at ASU as a Hillel intern left her with leadership skills and passion for building and maintaining community. She is passionate about Jewish communities being inclusive to all including those with non-traditional Jewish backgrounds and interfaith relationships. She hopes to make these groups feel included in our community as she transitions into the role as the Phoenix Community Ambassador for OneTable. She is thrilled to join the OneTable Team and support others engaging with Judaism and Shabbat dinner in a way that aligns with their values!

OneTable's Phoenix Community Ambassador Aleeza

What brings you to OneTable?

I was looking for an organization who’s values aligned with my own. It was clear that one table valued Judaism, community, inclusivity, expression, and so many other values that are important to me.

What one food are you bringing to a deserted island?

I am bringing perfectly ripe and crunchy cherry tomatoes with lime and salt.

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

I’m looking forward to helping empower others to take initiative in their communities by hosting. It’s a beautiful feeling and I look forward to sharing it.

What does Shabbat dinner mean to you?

Shabbat dinner to me is about intention and tradition. I believe Shabbat dinner is a mindful and healing meditative practice. It helps us me with the stress of every day life while also including traditions that connect me with all who came before me, and all who will come after me.

What’s your favorite ritual?

My favorite ritual is lighting Shabbat candles. I believe this is a moment to really think and be specific about what I want to pray for. It helps me align with my own goals and wants and put my prayers out into the universe.

Favorite challah, and can you bake it?

My favorite challah is so dense that it almost tastes like it’s not fully baked. I have not yet perfected the recipe.

Create your own OneTable Shabbat dinner plans this week!

OneTable empowers people who don’t yet have a consistent Shabbat dinner practice to build one that feels authentic, sustainable, and valuable. The OneTable community is funded to support people (21-39ish), not in undergraduate studies, and without an existing weekly Shabbat practice, looking to find and share this powerful experience.

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