It's Election Szn!
OneTable invites you to post Shabbat dinners that allow you to participate in civic engagement and conversations to prep you for the polls. OneTable is non-partisan, but pro-conversation, and if it’s your thing, we think that a great place to start is at the table. To see what’s possible and what isn’t when it comes to Shabbat with OneTable and dinners tied to politics, we got ya:
Election and Civic Engagement FAQ
How does hosting a Shabbat with OneTable work?
If you are not already a OneTable Shabbat dinner host, sign up here. (Applications take up to 3 days to process.) Once you’re a host, you can post your dinner here.
Physical social distancing is hard – but we’re following the current health authority advice and it’s what we need to do. Please only host your household or get together virtually. During this time, we cannot allow dinners on the platform that are in-person, unless it’s for the people you live with – we’re Nourishing dinners of any size.
Can I host a dinner in support of a political candidate?
No, and here’s why: As a 501c3 charity, OneTable resources cannot be used for any political activity for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a public election or to support or oppose a political party or candidate running for public office.
Can I host a dinner that’s attended by someone running for office?
You can! With some stipulations. The deets: OneTable hosted dinners or platform descriptions cannot identify a community leader as a candidate, endorse or fundraise for a candidate, or distribute materials and photos prepared by candidates.
Example of a great dinner description (in this example, Lara Hernandez is a candidate, but see how she is introduced in the description):
Please join us for a lovely Shabbat dinner and meaningful discussion about important topics such as healthcare, gun violence prevention, immigration, reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, the environment, and the state of our education system to name just a few. In attendance will be Lara Hernandez, a community manager and founder of a civic engagement organization.
Can I fundraise for a political candidate at a OneTable Shabbat dinner?
No. The OneTable platform cannot be used for fundraising purposes including for a political candidate, 501c4, PAC, or any partisan political issue.
Can I mention specific candidates or ballot issues in my dinner title or description?
Candidates: No. Ballot issues: Yes!
Let’s break it down: Candidates cannot be mentioned as candidates in your title or description. If there is a candidate for public office joining your dinner, within your description you can share that there will be an opportunity to meet a community leader.
Ballot issues can be mentioned in event titles or descriptions, as issue advocacy is allowed at OneTable Shabbat dinners.
How can I incorporate the upcoming election into my Shabbat dinner?
- Voter registration and get out the vote!
- Issue advocacy (examples: communications intended to bring awareness to a certain problem, such as education, the environment, or the need for bike lanes)
Is OneTable a non-partisan organization?
Yes. As a 501c3 charity, OneTable resources cannot be used for any political activity for the purpose of influencing the outcome of a public election or to support or oppose a political party or candidate running for public
Where does civic engagement intersect with Shabbat?
TLDR: Everywhere! OneTable supports civic engagement and encourages you to bring the joy of Shabbat dinner to educate your friends and family about the causes you care about.
More questions?
Check out our full FAQ here, and/or get in touch with your Field Manager.
