ChiTribe Shabbat Clusters

Shabbat Clusters ChiTribe 2022

Eat and celebrate Jewish life together in small clusters in person. You must be vaccinated to participate. While people celebrate Shabbat in many places – like synagogues, community centers, and more, all of these dinners will take place in the home of host Jewish organizations in Chicago that are in your Shabbat cluster.

We LOVED Shabbat Clusters and made our first couple friends as a couple through ChiTribe Shabbat Clusters. We see them all the time now! Shabbat Clusters was a low-key way to spend a Friday night, meeting new people and celebrating Shabbat.

Shana Silver & Adam Yasinow

Shabbat in Chicago


Shabbat Clusters FAQ

What are Shabbat Clusters?

Traditionally, our Shabbat Clusters are a fantastic opportunity for Jewish individuals to gather, eat dinner, find their communities, and most importantly, celebrate Shabbat. These clusters occur all across the city and are hosted by a participant of the group. During COVID, Vaccines are required and group sizes will have a capacity of 12 or less.

How are they formed?

ALL Clusters are formed based on the person’s location in the city and age. We desire to have 10-12 participants and a Shabbat Cluster leader. We are looking for volunteers to lead our clusters, let us know you are interested in hosting in your registration.

Where do they meet?

The location of the In-person Clusters will vary but are hosted by members of each cluster.

Virtual clusters are on ZOOM!

How often do they meet?

In-person Clusters meet every month for three months.

How much do Clusters cost?

The cost for 6 sessions of ChiTribe virtual clusters is $36. All the proceeds from the registration cost go to supporting ChiTribe programming. If the fee is cost-prohibitive to you, please let us know at Rebecca@ChiTribe.org and we will work with you to make it accessible.


What are Shabbat Cluster Coordinators?

Shabbat Clusters Coordinators help run each virtual cluster. ChiTribe provides a module for each of the six sessions with game options, ice breaker questions, and more to help you create a virtual community for Shabbat. Email Rebecca to get involved!

ChiTribe provided the Jewish community at a time when I felt alone and scared. ChiTribe brought together people I would never have met, and the community and consistency of the group have brought new friendships and people I can turn to for advice. I am incredibly grateful that ChiTribe remained active during the Pandemic, and I am excited to continue spending Shabbat with my cluster. Honestly, it is the one calendar invite I always look forward to.

Shoshi B.

OVER 80 VIRTUAL SHABBATS

A Recap of Virtual Clusters 2020-2021

ChiTribe hosted over 80 virtual Shabbat experiences throughout the pandemic. The Tribe gathered virtually every Friday night to celebrate and find our community. We had two rounds of Virtual Cluster cohorts in addition to our weekly cluster and these 10-12 person virtual clusters were formed based on location, age, and interest. We had some awesome volunteers who facilitated these cohorts including Laura Levine, Ashley Gordon, Matt Weil, Shuva Brodley, and Shoshi Shapiro.

ChiTribe has provided my link to the outside world during the pandemic. In the tumult of intense loneliness living alone and the fear and confusion of working in an industry kneecapped by an economic collapse, ChiTribe became a constant presence with weekly virtual Shabbat cluster dinners. I’ve made new friends and strengthened friends with those I’d had before. I’ve felt just as, if not more, connected to the Jewish community as before this entire crisis. ChiTribe enabled that.

Matt W.

Past Virtual Shabbat Clusters: TV Binges

Find All Jewish Events in Chicago on the ChiTribe Calendar