DIY Shabbat

Host a small Shabbat dinner for a small group of friends! Thanks to generous Maryland Hillel donors, you can have a free prepared to-go meal from our dining hall. You’ll also get challah, grape juice, and other key ingredients to pull off a Shabbat dinner!

Sign up by Sunday at 9 PM to host the upcoming Friday.

Email Dawn with questions


What does it mean to be a host and how does it work?

  • You’re awesome!
  • You want to rally and organize a small group for a free Shabbat dinner.
  • You can join a Zoom call with a Maryland Hillel staff member to chat about your Shabbat meal.
  • You’ll share a list of names and email addresses of UMD students who attend. You’ll take photos before or during your dinner.
  • You’ll pick up the bag of goodies, challah, and food on the Friday of your dinner.
  • You’ll have fun and relax during your DIY Shabbat!

After you complete this interest form, we’ll notify you in approx. 48 hours with approval or questions about your meal. Note: To enable as many people as possible to participate, we ask that you only plan to host/attend one DIY Shabbat prior to spring break.