The sun is just beginning to set over Lake Finley, as I'm sitting on a glossy orange bench in the amphitheater at Camp Interlaken in the north woods of Wisconsin. It's a Friday night in the middle of July, around 7 p.m. I'm surrounded by some of my favorite people in the entire world, who just popped up out of their seats at the first guitar strum of the best version of
Adon Olam
(the one to the tune of "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, of course).
Services wrap up and I know it's time to head in for dinner, because the smell of matzah ball soup is pouring out of the dining hall and mixing with the scent of pine trees and bug spray. Before we go inside, we savor the last few moments of being outdoors, welcoming Shabbat, hearing our camp director leading us in the blessings over the wine and challah.
For a moment, everything is still. My mind is clear enough to notice how the light from the candles glints off the song leaders' guitars-and I'm completely happy. Shabbat has finally arrived.
I grew up in a Jewish home that prioritized celebrating Shabbat together whenever possible. I have countless memories of the four of us sitting around our kitchen table on Friday nights, our evenings filled with meaningful traditions, laughs, and a rotating group of friends and family. Yet, when I close my eyes and think of Shabbat, I picture myself outside in scenes like I just described. These outdoor memories, though only made during a couple of months each year, are some of my strongest and most joyful.
At OneTable, two of our guiding values are
kedushah
(sanctification) and
oneg
(joy). Celebrating Shabbat outside blends the sanctity of the day with the natural beauty of the world. The fresh air and sounds of nature enhance the sense of peace and delight that Shabbat brings. It uplifts your spirit, allowing for a true sense of rest, gratitude, and renewal. Being outdoors transforms familiar rituals- like blessings over wine or candle lighting- into experiences filled with wonder and joy, naturally elevating both the body and soul.
In Chicago, the seasons are changing. The sun is out, and flowers are blooming. Our many months of hibernation are finally coming to an end, and it's time to start seizing every moment of this gorgeous weather! Luckily for us, this city offers so many ways to embrace the outdoors and shake up your Shabbat dinner.
For your next Shabbat dinner, consider planning a potluck picnic in the park. Or maybe bring your guests on a walk along the lakefront after you eat. It can even be as simple as making a reservation on the deck of your favorite restaurant (cue Adam Brody lighting Shabbat candles at a restaurant in the show
Nobody Wants This
).
As another Chicago summer is thankfully just around the corner, I invite you to approach Shabbat with fresh intentionality. Whether you're planning a joyful dinner with friends, leading blessings at sunset, or simply lighting candles on a patio table, know that the atmosphere you create can deeply shape the experience. When we take the time to think about the setting, the people, and the energy we bring to the table, we allow Shabbat to become more than a routine-it becomes a time of elevation and joy.
***
As you plan your next Shabbat gathering, consider how the outdoors might not just complement the experience, but transform it.
- How might you incorporate traditional blessings in your outdoor environment? (Always double check that lighting candles is safe!)
- Is there any music that feels particularly appropriate to the ambiance?
- Is there a specific activity you'd like to lead that lends itself to your outdoor space?
- How could the setting sun be a part of your Shabbat experience?
- Is there a conversation that you could have related to your outdoor environment that would not work as well indoors?
Be intentional, be creative, and, above all, make space for the kind of Shabbat that lingers in your memory long after the candles burn out.
Sophie Shapiro is the Chicago Field Manager at OneTable, where she is dedicated to helping young adults develop a meaningful Shabbat practice and long-lasting connections.
