Birthright helps alumni host Shabbat dinners for peers

By ELEANOR GOLDBERG

article created on: 2008-10-01T00:00:00

As the sun clocked out on August’s third Friday, NW 21st Avenue staged a predictable scene
—A tiara-toting birthday girl. Resting Hood-to-Coasters in search of water and a place to veg. Intermittent skinny-jean-clad regulars drinking local beer.

But overlooking this typical weekender-filled block, an alternative youthful group, framed by a Chinese lantern-lined-porch, partook in an unusual type of happy hour. Eight chatty wineglass-clinking twenty-somethings shuffled about, all participating in birthright’s latest community building endeavor, NEXT Shabbat.

In May 2008, alumni of Taglit-birthright’s free 10-day Israel trip were first introduced to NEXT. The program aims to promote Judaism’s tenet of Hachnasat Orchim, hospitality, by giving past participants the opportunity to host a traditional Shabbat dinner on the non-profit’s tab.

Entertainers are compensated $25 per person for up to 16 guests, but are in no way limited in how they choose to go about organizing.

“Each one is unique, with its own Jewish flair,” said Alyssa Abrahamson, birthright’s director of innovation. “A group in Chicago hosted on a rooftop, another in San Francisco met on a beach.”

Across North America and Israel, from New York City to L.A. to Ashville, NEXTers are taking advantage of the catchy traditional trend.

“Seventy to 80 percent are preparing a Shabbat meal for the first time,” said Abrahamson, adding that quite a few have said, “I’ve always wanted to host a Shabbat dinner, and now I can afford to.”

Eligible Portlanders were not shy to capitalize on the opportunity as soon as it became available. Lindsay Kohn, 27, an event planner, was one such eager hostess.

“I received an email asking if I loved having dinner parties, but never got around to hosting a Shabbat dinner. I thought, ‘Yes! That would be me!’” she said. “I hosted my first on May 31, the day NEXT kicked off their program.”

In addition to Kohn, three other Portlanders have participated and several summer 2008 alumni are scheduled to host in the upcoming weeks.

While invitees are drawn to the funding, it’s the flexibility that’s become the major incentive.

“The tagline—Next Shabbat Do it Your Way—sums up what they are offering. You can host Shabbat the way you want to and really create a positive experience for a lot of people who maybe wouldn’t experience it otherwise,” Kohn explained.

Melissa Taylorman, 21, a Reed College senior, made her NEXT debut at the beginning of September when more than 30 people joined her organic themed meal.

“It was such a feast. We went to the farmer’s market and also got a really nice keg of beer. Some people had never even tried challah before,” Taylorman said.

Her guests were enticed by both the carefully crafted dishes and the surprising turn of events. “We had no idea what to expect, but it was really fun. There was a dance party in one corner, people jamming in another.”

Though the number of Portland’s NEXT hosts may pale in comparison to those of cities with a higher concentration of young Jews, this town’s originality and commitment are well-represented on the birthright-Taglit Web site: A colorful snapshot from Lindsay Kohn’s first meal is one of the select few featured.

“We love that one,” Abrahamson said. “I looked at it and thought, I want to be there.”