I am constantly wrestling with the tenderness of merging artistic exploration with pursuits of justice. Artistic process and discovery can feel so abstract and conceptual, while effective activism often leans toward being direct and literal. How can I feel expansive and creative while communicating a clear message?
These big questions (which sometimes keep me up at night), were heightened during the pandemic. There was so much I needed to process, and I didn’t feel like I had an avenue for creativity. I was in search of a way to harness my creative energy, and a way to express myself while perhaps still sharing out content. Then, I found zine making. Zines – short for magazines – which started as a sci-fi fandom- can be traced all the way back to the 1930s. You can read more about the history of zines to understand the cultural importance they have served, covering the subjects that often marginalized folks wanted to discuss.
OneTable is here to support you in creating Friday night experiences that are uniquely yours. Maybe you haven’t seen a ritual guide that speaks to you, but you have ideas, innovations, poems, illustrations, or blessings that you want to put together and share with your guests. We want to help you emphasize your voice, discover what ritual means to you, and build a community centered around conversation and connection. We encourage you to experiment with zine making – if that speaks to you – as a way to carve out space for your own unique connection to Shabbat. Check out these Shabbat Zines created by the OneTable Staff!
Other Ways to Integrate Zines Into Your Shabbat Dinner
- Invitations
- Creative activity with guests
- Icebreaker prompts
- Shabbat guides
- Menus
- Little reflection journals, with or without prompts
- Thank you notes following your Shabbat
Now it’s your turn: we curated list of free online zine making resources you can use as a guide… or not! There is no wrong way to make a zine. Happy zine making!
Have you created a Shabbat zine that you want to share with the OneTable community? Tag us on social @onetableshabbat!