With summer just ahead, Pop-Up Shabbat dinners are bringing renewed energy and excitement to Jewish young adults and families across Tidewater. Coordinated by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, this initiative creates warm, welcoming spaces where community members can gather to share in the joy of Shabbat.
At its core, Pop-Up Shabbat is about building unity and ensuring that every young adult in the community has a place at the table. Designed for those who are roughly ages 22 to 45, along with their families, the program highlights a growing network of enthusiastic hosts. Each host brings their unique family traditions and a passion for community, offering guests a varied Shabbat experience.
There is no expectation to observe Shabbat in any one way, reflecting a commitment to respecting the traditions that feel most meaningful to each host and participant.
Upcoming dinners include:
• Shabbat hosted by Josh and Bo Lepchitz – Friday, May 29 in the Town Center area. This kid-friendly gathering offers a warm and relaxed Shabbat experience. The home does not have any pets.
• Shabbat hosted by John and Erma Dupon – Friday, May 29, near Mount Trashmore. This dinner takes place in a home with two cats.
• Shabbat hosted by Michael and Aly Yaary – Friday, June 5, in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach. This gathering is kid friendly.
• Shabbat hosted by Lauren Fitzwater and Tomas Moore – Friday, June 12, in the Town Center area. This dinner takes place in a home with two cats and offers another opportunity for meaningful connection around the Shabbat table.
Organizers are eager to continue growing the calendar. Community members who have ever considered opening their homes are encouraged to step forward as hosts. For those who want to participate, browsing host profiles offers a chance to find the perfect fit and experience a meaningful Shabbat in a fellow community member’s home.
Supported by the Richard Glasser Family Foundation, Pop-Up Shabbat dinners provide a perfect blend of tradition, community, and modernity – a wonderful way to spend an evening.
To learn more, explore upcoming dinners, or sign up to host or attend, visit JewishVA.org/PopUpShabbat or contact Hannah Yasemsky, NextGen coordinator at UJFT at HYasemsky@UJFT.org.