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?

Anyone can be a host! Lay leaders, volunteers and community organizations (e.g., congregations, Hillel) will bring together their friends, family and congregants 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 April 24, with the goal of engaging new audiences not yet connected to our community. 

Rabbis for Israel Congregations

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. *A minimum of 25 registered guests is required to qualify for this subsidy.

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 and learn more about the organization. Hosts will also receive a free Shabbat Box delivered to your door with candle holders, a Host Guide, conversation starters, 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. Once a Shabbat for Israel host and their guests have registered, they’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous exciting virtual events ahead of April 24 with our community that include:

• February 24
  At My Shabbat Table with Lisa Edelstein - Register Here

• March 17
  Cooking With Lior Lev Sercarz, Co-founder & Chief Culinary Officer, GCI by JNF 

• April 13
  Let's Get Ready for Shabbat (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 thousands of participants nationwide to learn more about our work and our impact on the land and people of Israel in a welcoming environment.

More Information