'A Light in the City' aims to foster friendship and understanding through Shabbat dinners across the U.S.
September 20, 2024 – As antisemitism reaches unprecedented levels in the United States, ADL (Anti-Defamation League), OneTable, and Passages Israel are working to build bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities through shared experiences and dialogue. Their joint initiative, “A Light in the City,” aims to foster friendship and understanding by hosting Shabbat dinners in four key cities.
The pilot program, to take place in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, and Washington D.C. in the fall, is meant to convene young Jewish and Christian professionals in their 20s and 30s for intimate Shabbat dinners. These gatherings, spearheaded by a young leader from each community, will serve as a platform for building relationships, sparking meaningful conversations, and fostering partnerships within each community.
Leaders from ADL, OneTable, and Passages Israel expressed their sentiments:
From Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO, ADL:
“In these challenging times, it's crucial that we come together to foster understanding and build lasting connections. This initiative between ADL and Passages Israel, with support from OneTable, is a testament to our commitment to combating hate and promoting mutual respect in our communities. In times of great division, we here at ADL respond with unity, fostering connections and understanding through initiatives like ‘A Light in the City.’ By bringing together Jewish and Christian communities, we are committed to combating hate and building bridges.”
From Rivka Kidron, Co-Founder of Passages Israel:
“The more the Jewish and Christian communities come together, the more we can deepen our understanding of each other’s unique challenges and also strengthen our collective resolve. The Jewish People face grave current challenges, and many in the Christian community want to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Jewish colleagues and the State of Israel during this time of heightened threats. This initiative is a timely opportunity to engage and create greater understanding and relationships between our communities, with the common goal of fostering solidarity, unity and commonality of purpose against those who spread hate, division and antisemitism.”
From Aliza Kline, CEO, OneTable
“Shabbat dinner is an ideal time for people to come together, break bread, and experience – first hand – Jewish wisdom and joy. Since Oct. 7, more than 80,000 young people have participated in OneTable Shabbat dinners and a growing number of them are intentionally including peers who are not Jewish. It’s a beautiful thing to open up Shabbat dinners to guests who are not Jewish in order to share Jewish connection and joy with them.”
The Shabbat dinners will be held in the homes of ADL young professionals or other appropriate venues, with each event hosting a maximum of 10-15 attendees to ensure a personal and engaging experience.
To encourage organic, meaningful conversations between attendees, ADL and Passages Israel are working with OneTable to develop a table talk resource. We are hopeful that this interfaith Shabbat guide – specifically designed for Jews and Christians – will serve as a model for other interfaith programs. Discussions will be led by ADL hosts, their Passages Israel counterpart, Passages Israel alumni and other young Jewish professionals. Conversations will address current challenges faced by their communities and explore ways to support one another in a post-October 7 world.
About ADL
ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination, or hate.
About Passages Israel
Passages is building a movement of emerging Christian leaders across the United States who are rooted in their faith, leading with courage at home, and advocating for Israel and the Jewish people. Passages provides Christian high school and college students with a life-changing experience in the Holy Land, followed by mentorship and opportunities to become stronger Christian leaders and advocates for Israel. In the past eight years, nearly 11,000 Christian students have traveled to Israel with Passages.
About OneTable
Inspired by Jewish tradition, OneTable empowers young people who don’t yet have a consistent Shabbat dinner practice to build one that feels authentic, sustainable, and valuable. OneTable is a North American nonprofit funded to support people (21-39ish) looking to find and share this powerful experience. We envision a whole generation of slowing down, joining together, unplugging from the week, creating intention in their lives, and building meaningful communities.
