By Jason Edelstein, ONE TABLE
September 10, 2021 — With a bleak news cycle and pandemic anxiety again top of mind, more Jewish young adults than ever are finding a sense of belonging through Shabbat. In the first half of 2021, OneTable nourished more than all the dinners in 2020 – that’s 17,000 dinners all hosted by volunteers, creating 100,000 seats at Shabbat tables across the country.
From its beginning in 2014, Jewish funders and practitioners joined forces through OneTable to address two alarming trends: 1) Jewish young adults dissociating from Judaism – 30% of Jewish millennials between 30-38 describe themselves as having “no religion” (1 in 2 under the age of 30 say the same), and 2) Young adults are facing an epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and addiction to technology. More than half of millennials viewed themselves as lonely even before COVID-19.
As a result, OneTable began researching its users right away. At the onset of the pandemic, the non-profit surveyed 1,200 Jewish young adults to understand how their lives were being impacted and what OneTable needed to do differently to support them.
In OneTable’s research this year (onetable.org/research)
- 2 out of 3 OneTable users reported heightened depression and anxiety AND are seeking connection to their Jewish identity in some way.
- 1 out of 3 participated in a Jewish experience that they wouldn’t have otherwise because of COVID-19.
- 40% of respondents hosted Shabbat for the very first time during the pandemic.
The next chapter of OneTable
For the past eight years, OneTable has been fortunate to work directly with funding partners, foundations, and major donors who believe our impact is critical to building Jewish community. As it faces enormous growth – OneTable dinners have now been hosted in over 450 cities in the U.S. with almost 500,000 reserved seats at those dinners – strategies need to shift to sustain OneTable’s investment in Jewish young adults.
In July, OneTable hired its first Director of Major Gifts, Ely Benhamo, in order to better engage partners and donors. Ely will play an integral role in telling the OneTable story of impact. Importantly, this position allows OneTable to build more local relationships and sustain growth in hub cities.
Ely shared what she’s most looking forward to sharing with current and prospective donors: “OneTable’s participant-focused model is the answer for empowering Jewish young adults by providing them with the training and resources to create a meaningful Shabbat practice in the comfort of their own home, while also growing the community. As a OneTable host myself, I’ve felt a deep sense of belonging in participating in this weekly ritual and welcoming guests to my Shabbat dinners. OneTable’s platform and local staff lower the barrier to entry into the Jewish community and it is reflected in our growth over several years.”
Ely Benhamo is the Director of Major Gifts at OneTable. She joined OneTable in July 2021 after six years with AIPAC, where she helped launch the Miami real estate division, SF tech division, introduced multi-year giving, and launched the national virtual AIPAC Coffee House initiative. She most recently served as the East Bay and Sacramento Area Director. Ely is a first-generation American and college graduate. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Minor in Jewish Studies. She is on the advisory board of Jewtina y co., a founding board member of JWI Young Women’s Impact Network’s SF chapter, and a Moishe House resident. She currently lives in San Francisco.
About OneTable
OneTable empowers people who don’t yet have a consistent Shabbat dinner practice to build one that feels authentic, sustainable, and valuable. OneTable is a national nonprofit funded to support people (21-39ish) looking to find and share this powerful experience. We envision a whole generation of slowing down, joining together, unplugging from the week, creating intention in their lives, and building meaningful communities. onetable.org
Contact: Jason Edelstein, 510-239-1102
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