At OneTable, we believe that meaningful Jewish life begins, and grows, around the table — especially on Friday nights. Our Core Commitments guide everything we do, as does our love for Shabbat dinner.  

Each week, Shabbat provides the perfect opportunity for us to recharge and recommit ourselves to building thriving, dynamic Jewish communities. Even when things get hard, Shabbat arrives and OneTable leans in. We show up — every single Friday night. 

OneTable shares our Core Commitments because we deeply value being clear and consistent about who we are and what we believe. Our hope is that as many Jewish young adults as possible — and their friends of all faith backgrounds — find joy and community at Friday night Shabbat dinners, within the context of an organization with clear guiding principles for what we believe in and how we ask those at our tables to show up to them.

Jewish Joy and Pride, Oneg, B’Simcha

We believe the future of the Jewish people must be rooted in a constant reminder of the good for which we stand and the beauty of our traditions. By celebrating Jewish life, heritage, and values at our tables, we cultivate strong, proud Jewish young adults who can confidently face challenges and combat antisemitism beginning with a special sense of connection to a people, community, religion, or set of ideas that bring happiness and purpose to their lives. Oneg and Simcha — joy and pride — are central to everything OneTable does, ensuring our tables are spaces of celebration, inspiration, and enduring connection.

Welcoming and Respect, B’tzelem Elohim, Hachnasat Orchim

We honor the inherent dignity of every person. Any individual, Jewish or not, is welcome at our tables as long as our Code of Conduct is followed. 

All OneTable participants and staff members are treated with respect, care, and compassion, reflecting our belief that we are all made in God’s image, B’tzelem Elohim. We believe in Hachnasat Orchim — generous hospitality and warmth, and our hosts and guests welcome everyone with a spirit of inclusivity and belonging. 

Global Peoplehood and Connection, Am Yisrael

OneTable centers the Jewish experience. We believe that Shabbat provides a weekly reminder that we are part of a global, interconnected Jewish community: Am Yisrael. We also believe that Israel, as both a Biblical construct and as an historical and modern homeland, is a fundamental part of our Jewish story.  

The dinners OneTable supports, whether public or private, encourage connection. We do not formally partner with, or support, any organization, Shabbat dinners, or gatherings that call for Israel’s destruction or in any way question Israel’s right to exist. We do not fund dinners that align with any political party or candidate. 

Constructive and Challenging Dialogue, Machloket L’shem Shamayim

Within the framework laid out by these commitments, we welcome and encourage Machloket L’shem Shamayim, “disagreement for the sake of heaven.” We believe Friday night Shabbat dinners can be curated spaces to support one another as we seek to learn and be challenged by different perspectives. We believe OneTable’s role in constructive and challenging dialogue is to ensure our community members have the tools to help themselves and others make sense of this moment in time. We view differences of opinion as opportunities for growth and deeper connection for all. 

Guiding Principle

At OneTable, we uphold three tensions together — respect for the individual, commitment to the global Jewish people, and embracing challenging dialogue — because the richness of Jewish life is found in the balance of these values. OneTable President and CEO Sarah Abramson discusses our Core Commitments in “Zachor and Shamor: Holding Competing Values Makes Us Holier”.