From left to right:  Jake Cohen, Joan Nathan, Aliza Kline and Julie Rice. Credit: Robbie Nero

OneTable, a North American non-profit that empowers people to envision new rituals and build community through Shabbat dinner, co-hosted a Shabbat dinner on Friday, April 12, with bestselling cookbook author and OneTable national board member Jake Cohen and SoulCycle co-founder Julie Rice at Peoplehood (a modern day community center co-founded by Rice) in Chelsea, New York City. The dinner celebrated the launch of “My Life in Recipes,” a memoir from James Beard award-winning author, chef and journalist Joan Nathan.

“What better way to celebrate an icon in Jewish life, Joan Nathan, than a Shabbat evening at Peoplehood, the new cultural hub in New York City?” asked Cohen. “We are so thankful that OneTable brought all of this together, and we couldn’t be prouder of Joan for her fantastic new memoir and of Julie for creating a fabulous space for gathering people together.”

Cohen and Rice have wanted to celebrate Shabbat dinner together for years, but the timing never aligned—until now. Cohen wanted to celebrate his good friend Nathan’s upcoming memoir in a way that felt authentic to his own Shabbat practice, and OneTable helped make that possible.

More than 100 guests attended the VIP event, which also helped celebrate Nathan’s new cookbook. The book uses recipes to look back at her life, her family history, and her personal journey discovering Jewish cuisine from around the world.

“I was so proud and excited to welcome each of the guests to Peoplehood,” said Rice. “I have devoted my life to helping people flourish in different aspects of their lives, and I am a huge supporter of OneTable for the community they help build through Shabbat dinners.”