By Avi Remetz, NextGen Leadership and Engagement Manager, JCFR

A Night of Connection

On Friday night, August 22, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond hosted its latest NextGen Shabbat Dinner, bringing together a vibrant group of young Jewish adults and their children for an evening of tradition, conversation, and community-building.

The dinner was a chance to unwind, meet new people, and enjoy Shabbat in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Laughter, meaningful dialogue, and shared experiences filled the room, reminding everyone of the power of coming together around the table for Shabbat.

For many attendees, it was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, all while celebrating the richness of Jewish life in Richmond.

One of the evening’s highlights was the launch of the Jewish Young Adults of Richmond WhatsApp community, a new space designed to help participants stay connected between events.

Guests were invited to join the group, which will serve as a hub for coordinating hikes, football games, business discussions, and other informal gatherings across Richmond. This space is intended to be flexible and participant-driven, offering new ways to build relationships beyond formal programming.

The evening also featured remarks from Rachel Safren, our event chair, along with Debbie Falik, Arielle Falzone, and Lindsey Rosenthal, who introduced Beth El’s Havurah Project—a grassroots initiative focused on creating small, meaningful Shabbat dinner groups that foster deeper Jewish engagement.

The Havurah Project emphasizes the importance of intimate, consistent gatherings as a way to strengthen Jewish identity and build lasting community. For more information, contact Rachel Safren at rsafren@gmail.com.

Throughout the night, guests were encouraged to introduce themselves to someone new, share stories, and explore ways to stay involved.

The energy in the room was a testament to the growing momentum of the NextGen community and the desire among young adults to find meaningful ways to connect.

The NextGen Committee is already looking ahead to the next Shabbat dinner in January, with plans to build on the enthusiasm and connections sparked at this event.

Whether you’re new to the community or have been involved for years, there’s a place for you at the table.

To learn more about getting involved with the NextGen community or to join the WhatsApp community, reach out to me at aremetz@jewishrichmond.org.

See the Gallery section on the site for more photos.