Share Your Table and Celebrate Shabbat Together!
The Stamford JCC is excited to host Shared Tables, a special Friday night dinner initiative where JCC members open their homes, or join others, to celebrate Shabbat together. 

Please click here to log into your member portal to complete an Interest Form.

Hosting a Table: 
JCC members can volunteer to host a Friday night Shabbat dinner for friends and community members by submitting a Host Interest Form. Hosts may choose the location, size and makeup/structure of their gathering. 
There are just a few requirements: 
• Complete and submit the Host Interest Form
• Ask each adult guest in attendance sign the Shared Tables Sign-in Sheet (to be provided); and 
• Take at least one group photo and provide a copy to the JCC.

Joining a Table: 
JCC members who would like to participate as a guest can sign up via a Guest Interest Form (below). The JCC will make every effort to match you with a host, but placement is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. 

What the JCC Will Provide: 

As a thank you, each host will receive a $10 gift card per JCC Adult Member guest, up to a maximum of $100. (Cards will be distributed post-event after sign-in sheets and photos are delivered to the JCC.) 

Each host will also receive a special Shabbat Bag, which will include everything needed to “do Shabbat” including: 
• Challah 
• Grape juice and a Kiddush cup
• Candles and candlesticks 
• Shabbat blessings and instructions sheet 
• Shared Tables Sign-in Sheet 

Ways to Celebrate Shabbat: 

We invite you to celebrate Shabbat dinner in a way that is personal to you. 

That could mean:  
• Dinner together at a restaurant 
• A home-cooked meal and game night 
• A catered meal and wine tasting
• Beer and pizza with friends
• A themed evening, such as 
  - A camp-themed Shabbat with burgers and smores around the fire pit 
  - A UConn Basketball Shabbat (yes, there’s a game that evening) 
  - A Hibachi Shabbat 
  - A Murder Mystery Shabbat 
• Or keep it simple with take-out and shared highlights of the week 

Hosting Shabbat 101: 

We encourage all hosts to attend one of our Hosting Shabbat 101 sessions on either Tuesday, October 21st (virtually) or Wednesday, October 22nd (in person). These 30-minute classes are designed to guide you through the Shabbat dinner experience – no prior knowledge or Jewish background is required – and answer any questions you may have. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• Do I need to serve anything in particular at my Shabbat dinner? 
Nope. You can cook the whole meal, prepare just part of it, cater from your favorite spot, go out to a restaurant or even order in pizza. If it feels like Shabbat to you, that’s good enough for us. What matters most is creating a welcoming environment. 

That said, we do ask all hosts to please check with your guests about any food allergies or dietary restrictions (including Kosher observance) in advance and do your best to accommodate them. 

• Is this just for adults, or can children/families attend? 
That’s entirely up to you as the host. If you have a family with children, you may want to invite other families with children. Or not – again, that's up to you. If you’d like to host an evening for adults only, that’s great too.  

• What if I’m not Jewish? Can I still participate? 
Absolutely. Shabbat is about hospitality, rest, and community. Everyone is welcome to take part, whether you’re Jewish, part of an interfaith household, or a friend. 

And don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the rituals. We’ll help you make it meaningful without overcomplicating it. Our Hosting Shabbat 101 [link] class is a great way to get started. 

• I’d love to host, but I don’t have a huge space. Is that okay? 
Yes! Your Shared Table can be whatever size you're comfortable with. Whether it’s a large group around your dining room table or a few people sharing takeout around the coffee table, the point is connection, not perfection. 

• Do Thanksgiving rules apply? 
Absolutely, please be mindful of discussing potentially controversial topics (like the big two: religion and politics). If you wouldn’t discuss it at the Thanksgiving table, don’t discuss it at your Shared Table either.