Nu Fridays Shabbat Dinners in Venice, CA
We were honored to partner with NuRoots, the young adult initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, to bring their Nu Fridays Shabbat series in Venice, CA to life. Designed for Jewish Angelenos in their 20s, this monthly summer series, created meaningful community through tradition, connection, and modern hospitality.
Hosted on a beautiful Venice, CA rooftop, each dinner featured its own theme and atmosphere. Each one was a unique celebration of Shabbat. Here’s a little look into what we cooked up.
Bling and Blue Jeans BBQ
The series launched with a Bling & Blue Jeans BBQ. This event transformed the Venice rooftop into a lively Shabbat celebration. Guests gathered around red-and-white checkered tablecloths, sunflower centerpieces, and enjoyed BBQ-inspired dishes created by Holy Smokes Kosher BBQ that set a relaxed, festive tone.
To keep the energy high, the evening also featured a DJ and plenty of dancing, along with icebreaker games like Jenga and foosball.
The combination of great food, music, and games created an atmosphere where new friendships formed naturally. It was a perfect kickoff to the Nu Fridays series.
July In Bloom
The second dinner—July In Bloom—embraced a vibrant citrus-inspired theme. Lemon-print linens and chamomile centerpieces decorated with fresh citrus fruits brought a sunny, refreshing energy to this beautiful Venice evening.
Guests enjoyed a selection of citrus-infused cocktails, including lemon drops, mojitos, and palomas. We also added creative mocktails—a non-alcoholic “Tequila Spritz” with lime and apple, and a non-alcoholic, “Mellow Matcha” drink, with matcha syrup, lemon, and coconut.
The décor and drink menu perfectly captured the brightness of summer, making this dinner especially uplifting and memorable.
Shabbat in the Kitchen
The third dinner, Shabbat in the Kitchen, centered on the art of gathering around food. Styled in a deep eggplant and cobalt blue color palette with centerpieces made of artichokes, kale, eggplant, and mixed florals, the evening was both elegant and welcoming.
A highlight of the night was guest speaker Natasha Feldman Bauch (a.k.a @NoshWithTash —chef, author, and dinner party planner—who shared her expert tips on hosting meaningful gatherings.
Each guest also received a copy of her book, The Dinner Party Project, providing inspiration to bring the joy of Shabbat and dinner parties into their own homes.
White Shabbat
The final dinner in the summer series was a “White Shabbat”. It was a study in simplicity and elegance — a serene celebration that brought together community, connection, and calm.
Each table was dressed in a lace linen with various shades of ivory, and paired with oval backed light wood chairs. When creating a white shabbat, it’s important to think about adding texture, and using varying shades of white in conjunction with accent colors, like wood or gold, to give depth to the space.
Guests arrived dressed in white, setting a tone of unity and warmth that perfectly complemented the glowing tablescape. Each table was dressed in crisp white linens and paired with oval-backed chairs in soft white and gold, creating a look that was both ethereal and inviting.
Candles flickered across the tables, casting a golden glow that reflected beautifully off the delicate gold accents. The minimalist palette allowed the details to shine — the soft textures, the clean lines, and the effortless sophistication of a shared, thoughtfully designed experience.
This White Shabbat was a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful gatherings are the ones that embrace simplicity — where thoughtful design and heartfelt connection come together to create something quietly extraordinary.
It’s been a joy to collaborate with NuRoots, whose incredible organization and team created the programming that brought young Jewish Angelenos together in meaningful and memorable ways. This was a dream collaboration for us, as we believe in, and are deeply connected to, NuRoots’ mission – it was our bashert.
Looking to create a memorable event for your community or group? Contact us to learn how we can bring your vision to life with thoughtful planning and unforgettable details.
