So you’ve made Kiddush and broken bread. You serve the first course. Then what next? The Shabbat Table is an environment that is conducive to running “soft-programming”. Definitely a lecture is not in order but there are activities that can be done that will get people thinking, talking, getting to know one another and perhaps walking away with something that they didn’t know before.

Here is one idea. I call it The Interview. The basic idea is that everyone has something interesting to share but they are rarely asked to do so. When they are given the chance, they feel good about themselves and the group that gave them the opportunity.

So how does it work? The host or leader suggests the exercise. The introduction may begin something like this: “We have an interesting group of people here tonight and I would really like to get to know you all better. I am sure everyone here has some experience that has really impacted on who they are (if you want, “as a Jew”). Everyone here has read a great book or seen a great movie that they have learned from. Some of us may have traveled to exotic places or met interesting people. So who wants to start? Pick something that you feel has impacted your life and we will interview about the topic.”

Hopefully someone will volunteer. It may be a good time to push someone new into center stage. So say their topic is: Their first trip to Israel. You will ask the other people to ask the volunteer questions like: “What was the best part?” “If you could do again, how would you do it differently” “How have your views changed because of your visit?”

Don’t let it drag too long. It is better to have a few volunteers speak so we get more exposure. The wind up can be as simple as, “Let’s clear the plates for the next course”. The host should make sure to make a personal positive remark to the volunteer for sharing his/her experience.

That’s my suggestion. Let me know how it goes.

Rabbi Charles Lebow
Advisor to Project Shabbat