From tech ERGs in New York to cultural tastemakers in Los Angeles and storytellers in Chicago, OneTable is helping Jewish community groups reimagine Shabbat dinner as the place to be.
[New York, NY — May 13, 2026] — Known for empowering peer-led, home-based, DIY Shabbat dinners for Jewish young adults ages 21–39, North American nonprofit OneTable is now piloting a new partnership strategy that brings Shabbat dinners into larger, more curated community spaces through collaborations with organizations, collectives, influencers, and social communities already gathering young adults “IRL”.
The initiative combines OneTable’s signature ingredients—personalized coaching and resources, a dinner-planning platform, and micro-grants to hosts—with elevated event experiences designed to create excitement about Shabbat dinners. The result? Splashy, highly social Shabbat dinners that introduce new audiences to Jewish ritual and community in a way that feels modern, welcoming, and 100% buzzworthy.
“This strategy is about meeting people where they already are, and showing that Shabbat dinner can feel really exciting, really vibrant, and like something you don’t want to miss,” said Dani Kohanzadeh, senior director of program innovation at OneTable. “Our goal is to help facilitate dinners with such great vibes that guests can’t wait to tell their friends about them.”
In the first quarter of 2026, OneTable saw growth in the number of first-time participants reporting that they heard about OneTable through events they attended, an early signal that these partnerships are successfully reaching new audiences of young adults eager to explore Shabbat dinner.
Each event reflects the identity and aesthetic of its host community while incorporating Shabbat rituals and OneTable’s hospitality-driven approach. Recent collaborations included:
- Chai Tech in New York City
- “Chev Trev” x JaxxSnaxx in Los Angeles
- Friday Tables in New York City
- Birthright Storytellers in Chicago
For Chai Tech, a network bringing together Jewish professionals and founders in tech, the partnership created an opportunity to blend meaningful connection with intentional gathering.
“There hadn’t really been many opportunities for Jewish employees and their allies across the tech community to come together around Shabbat in a way that felt modern, welcoming, and rooted in shared connection,” explained Chai Tech / Chai Powered founder Lauren Hendel.
“I wanted to create something welcoming that people genuinely wanted to show up for. When the intention is simply bringing people together and celebrating life, so much good can come from it. It wasn’t just one Shabbat with one hundred people, it was one hundred people who left and brought that energy back into their offices, their friend groups, their lives. Jewish, non-Jewish, it didn’t matter. There was a definite shift for people that night.”
Unlike OneTable’s core DIY model, these events often take place in more exclusive venues, feature curated guest lists or collaborators, and lean into aspirational aesthetics and social storytelling. The strategy is intentionally designed to generate visibility, word-of-mouth momentum, and a sense that Shabbat is not only meaningful but culturally magnetic.
The partnership model also allows OneTable to build relationships with creators, influencers, and emerging community leaders who can organically share their experiences with broader audiences online and in person.
As OneTable continues to evolve its approach to engagement, the organization sees these collaborations as an opportunity to widen the front door to Jewish life for a new generation.
“This isn’t replacing our peer-led dinner model, it’s expanding the ecosystem around it,” Kohanzadeh said. “We want someone to attend one incredible Shabbat experience and think, ‘I want to do this again. Maybe I can host one myself’. And you can, any Friday night!”
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About OneTable: OneTable is on a mission to make Shabbat dinner the highlight of your week. We empower Jewish young adults, whether hosts or guests, to own their Friday nights — rooted in tradition, fueled by community, and reimagined their way. Learn more at www.onetable.org.