Access dinner to be held at Plum Street Temple

It’s an all-American celebration with a traditional Jewish twist: Introducing The United States of Shabbat, Access’ newest “Got Shabbat” Dinner series, showcasing the best regional culture and cuisine our country has to offer, from sea to shining sea! Naturally, the first city to be featured will be the Queen City, and where better to hold a Cincinnati-Style Shabbat than the magnificent, historic Plum Street Temple, considered to be one of the most iconic buildings in Cincinnati, and in the country for that matter?

This event is free with advance reservations and will take place on Friday, Nov. 9. It is open to Jewish young professionals, 21-35 from Cincinnati and around the region. The evening will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a brief and engaging Shabbat service just for Access participants. It will be led by Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, with musical accompaniment from Wise Temple’s own Shir Chadash Band. Guests will also have the chance to learn more about the significance of Plum Street Temple at this time.

“We are delighted to share the history and the story of Plum Street Temple with the Access community, and to celebrate Shabbat with them in a service in our beautiful sanctuary,” says Rabbi Kamrass. “I look forward to this being the first of many opportunities for us to welcome our young adult community and to giving them access not only to our history, but to the personal meaning of Shabbat and of prayer.”

Following the service, guests will have the chance to mix and mingle with other young professionals from Greater Cincinnati and around the region while enjoying a sit down Shabbat dinner with all the trimmings, including Montgomery Inn’s famous barbecued chicken and brisket (vegetarian options are also available), and desserts from other popular Cincinnati establishments such as Busken Bakery and more. Complimentary beer and wine and other beverages will also be served.

Cincinnati-Style Shabbat is the first in the new United States of Shabbat dinner series and will focus on the iconic tastes and traditions of our own country’s many unique cities and regions. Like Access’ past International Got Shabbat dinner series, which included Indian Summer Shabbat, Mexican-Style Shabbat, CelebRussian, Tuscan Summer Shabbat, Mid-East Feast and others, Cincinnati Shabbat will offer the perfect chance for guests to wind down their work week with other Jewish YPs while they enjoy a taste of what makes our own city so unique and interesting.

“For the past two years I have attended Yom Kippur services at Plum Street Temple, thanks to Access’ free High Holiday ticket program and the generosity of Wise Temple. The sanctuary is so amazing, and even thought I’m not a very religious person, being there makes me feel more spiritual somehow,” explains Jeremy Fine. “I am really looking forward to participating in a Shabbat service there and appreciate that they are doing all of this just for us!”

Space for the Cincinnati-Style Shabbat is limited to the first 200 people and is already filling up quickly. The event is FREE and open to Jewish young professionals, 21-35 from Greater Cincinnati and from around the region. Non- Jewish significant others are always welcome. Reservations are mandatory and will be given on a first come, first served basis. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate at a downtown hotel for anyone who is interested in staying overnight. Access is an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation and offers four to six programs a month designed to help Jewish young professionals get connected to one another and to the Jewish community. Most programs are completely FREE or very deeply subsidized. To RSVP, or to learn more about this event, please consult the Community Directory listing in this issue for Access’ contact information.