by Nadav Sweiry - Campus Leadership Programme 204/25

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, our campus leaders and interfaith community were warmly welcomed into the home of Nottingham’s Jewish chaplains, Uriya and Shima Dvir. This Shabbat, however, the regular group of over thirty Jewish students was joined by ten Christian guests for a traditional three-course Shabbat lunch. The event was rich blend of ritual, learning, and dialogue—all centred around food, faith, and friendship. All food was strictly Kosher, with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options ensuring that everyone felt welcome and accommodated. No photos were taken, in line with orthodox Shabbat observance and out of respect for the hosts’ religious practice.

From the moment guests stepped into the Dvirs’ home, they were met with warmth and genuine hospitality. Despite many of the guests initially feeling like outsiders, the Dvirs and Jewish students went out of their way to make them feel welcome and comfortable. One guest, a distance-learning Religious Education teacher living in Birmingham, was particularly interested in seeing a traditional Kosher kitchen and requested a tour. Uriya enthusiastically showed her the separate milk and meat areas with dedicated utensils and his ‘Shabbat urn’. She was most surprised by the taped-over light switch in the fridge (which prevents the light coming on when the door is opened), a small but powerful detail that illuminated the extent to which Jewish families go to observe religious law.

Everyone then gathered in the dining room, with its ornate ceiling and dark wood-panelled walls, where Nadav briefly explained the different ritual practices that they do before the meal. After that, Uriya made Kiddush, the blessing said over wine before both meals on Shabbat. People who wished then took part in ‘Netilat Yadayim’ (ritual handwashing), which many Jewish people do before eating bread. Nadav demonstrated how he uses a special cup to pour water over each hand three times. He noted his family’s Middle Eastern Jewish tradition of reciting the blessing before pouring the water, which differs from the dominant custom of saying the blessing before drying the hands. Many Jewish people observe a custom of not speaking after the handwashing blessing, which led to some playful and confused improvised sign language between regulars and guests. The meal continued with the blessing over the two loaves of braided, sweet Challah bread, which was a first for many guests. After a delicious meal, we sung ‘Birkat Hamazon’ (grace after meals) in the Ashkenazic tradition—something familiar yet distinct for the Christians present. Although it was sung in Hebrew, books with English translations and transliterations were provided, allowing everyone to follow along and feel included.

In the lead-up to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), we held a group dialogue on the significance of festivals in our faiths. Our conversation about the Book of Ruth, which is traditionally read on Shavuot, sparked a wider discussion on how we connect with the stories from the Prophets. One guest was struck by the continued relevance of Levitical law in modern Judaism and reflected on its essential role in influencing their own moral framework. We also explored naming traditions, comparing Chistian baptismal names and patron saints with Jewish Hebrew names which are often used in prayers for healing. Both reflect a deep spiritual identity and highlight a meaningful parallel between the two faiths. To end on a lighter note, guests sampled Kosher ‘sour sticks’, a staple snack of Jewish youth groups and Synagogue children services. Cola stood out as the fan favourite and resulted in a lively debate about ‘shrinkflation’ and whether sweets had gotten smaller or we’d all just simply grown up.

The impact of the afternoon extended far beyond simply sharing a meal. For many of the Jewish and Christian attendees, it was a transformative experience—challenging assumptions, deepening mutual respect, and fostering meaningful interfaith dialogue. The teacher from Birmingham noted that the brief kitchen tour gave her a deeper understanding and new appreciation for Jewish law, which she plans to bring into her teaching. Through rituals like the Kiddush over grape juice and the blessing over the Challah we explored the central role of food and drink in our religious traditions. The meal created a space not only for learning, but for genuine connection. It revealed shared values and common themes between our faiths with the festival of Shavuot providing a rich foundation for deep and thoughtful dialogue.