As summer starts to almost turn to fall, the tradition hands us Elul, a month built for turning. This year, we’re pointing it at the glowing rectangle in everyone’s hand. Over four weeks and starting on August 14, Permission to Unplug gives OneTable hosts and guests the thing they’ve quietly been waiting for someone to say out loud: You’re allowed to put it down!

Shabbat has been holding that door open for thousands of years. We’re just walking through it with you, one Friday night dinner at a time, until the week ends where it should be at candle lighting with the people we love.

Before lighting the candles and enjoying Shabbat dinner, flip over your phone. That’s it. Permission to Unplug asks for one physical act, repeated weekly, that anyone can do regardless of observance or Shabbat practice. Everything beyond that is an invitation.