Enjoy good food, connect with friends and meet new people, and celebrate Shabbat in community!

This month, the dinner will be part of the Shabbat Scholar in Residence with Rabbi Vanessa Ochs and Dr. Peter Ochs. Following the dinner, Rabbi Ochs will share her talk: “The Newest Jewish Rituals: Practices we fashioned during Covid that still sustain us.”

Before Covid, tuning into a synagogue service virtually seemed like something one would do as a desperate measure, say if one was housebound. With amazing speed, as synagogue professionals determined how to livestream services in engaging ways, worshippers at home not only got over their reluctance and discomfort with the idea of “virtual shul” but also—perhaps to our surprise—created new home praying habits which enrich our spiritual lives. What did we learn and why does it still matter, even as we have returned to the pews?

Rabbi Vanessa Ochs, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at UVA, is teaching rabbinical students this year at Hebrew Union College as the Rabbi Sally Preisand Visiting Professor. Her books include The Passover Haggadah: A Biography, Inventing Jewish Ritual, Sarah Laughed, The Jewish Dream Book (with Elizabeth Ochs), Words on Fire, and Safe and Sound.

Details coming soon about the Shabbat afternoon portion of the Scholar in Residence.

The Community Shabbat Dinner takes place the third Friday of each month.

With a sliding scale fee, we encourage you to register at the price that’s right for you! Registration coming soon.

BJ Members:

  • Supporter: $36
  • Standard: $25
  • Discount: $18

Non-Members:

  • $36