Why should you participate?

Shabbat for Israel is an opportunity to invite and engage your community in a joyful celebration while learning more about Jewish National Fund-USA and our vision. This Shabbat dinner will inspire and strengthen our unity. By lighting candles and sitting down together in informal but meaningful settings, we will shine a light on our shared love and support for the land and people of Israel.

Who are the dinner hosts, and what are host responsibilities?

Lay leaders and volunteers will bring together their friends and family through hosted Shabbat dinners across the country. Hosts are asked to invite a minimum of five guests who are new to Jewish National Fund-USA to their home for dinner on May 2, with the goal of engaging new audiences not yet connected to our community.

Jewish National Fund-USA will grant each Rabbis for Israel synagogue $1,000 to use to host their own synagogue-wide Shabbat for Israel dinner. 

Shabbat for Israel hosts will be responsible for covering the cost of the dinner as it is not subsidized by Jewish National Fund-USA.

What support will hosts receive?

Once registered, hosts will be invited to participate in several special events leading up to Shabbat for Israel as an opportunity to connect and engage with the Jewish National Fund-USA community. Hosts will also receive a Shabbat Box, including a Shabbat for Israel Toolkit, Shabbat candles, and more to assist hosts in capturing the true spirit of Shabbat and Yom Ha’atzmaut with their guests.

The Lead-Up

Each Shabbat for Israel host and guest will register through our platform (full registration instructions provided soon). Once a Shabbat for Israel host and their guests have registered, they’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous exciting events ahead of May 2 with our community that may include:

•    Virtual challah baking class

•    Virtual cooking class with the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF

•    Pre-event Shabbat for Israel Host prep-call including an unboxing of the Shabbat Box (for hosts only)

Will there be a solicitation at Shabbat for Israel dinners?

This is not a fundraising event, but rather an opportunity to engage over 5,000 participants nationwide to learn more about our work and our impact on the land and people of Israel in a welcoming environment.