Observant Jews in Highland Park/Edison who are looking for new ways in the new year to build a better sense of community now have a promising new initiative to lead the way.

Introduced in shul bulletins on the Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah, The Shabbos Connection seeks to connect hosts and guests for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals in a new and menschlich way.

Organized by Lisa Geller of Highland Park, a member of Congregation Ohav Emeth, with the help of a growing WhatsApp group that includes members from all the observant shuls in the area, The Shabbos Connection serves new families, singles, single parents and anyone who simply wants to broaden their friendship circle or needs help building their network.

The organizers point out, “This effort is not only about meals, but also about making connections. By filling out a short form, participants allow us to match hosts and guests with similar demographics, helping to match not only meals, but make new connections. Matches between hosts and guests will be made by the Shabbos Connection team, and hosts will be given their matched guests to call with a personal invitation. These matches aren’t just hosts or guests… they are potential new friends.”

To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/37xxdesh. Don’t forget to check the box if you’d like to be a part of the Shabbos Connection team.

As Geller describes this initiative: “The effort here is that a guest should receive a phone call from a host, personally inviting them for a specific meal, with us providing enough information so the host can make a kesher with their guest based on similarities. It’s about helping people make real connections in our community. People who are alone don’t just need meals. They need connections.”

For more information on this initiative, please send an email to: [email protected]