This December, put the “high” in l’chaim with the Infused Shabbat Dinner! Comedian Danit Sibs, host of the renowned series The HotBox, has decided to blend her loves of Judaism and cannabis culture together for a special evening where people from all walks of life can mingle, eat, and share elevated joy in the heart of New York City. Her latest Shabbat event will take place on Friday, December 13th, 7-11PM at Loft 39 in the heart of Midtown. (Click here for tickets!)
What Is The Infused Shabbat Dinner?
But the superstitious among us need not worry about the auspiciousness of the “Friday the 13th” date. Sibs possesses a unique talent for bringing a touch of cannabis to mainstream events, and her first Infused Shabbat Dinner, which took place earlier in November, was a rousing success. In case you’re wondering - the evening is open to all (you don’t have to be Jewish) and is secular outside of the opening prayer to light the candles.
Which Brand Partners Will Be Represented At The Infused Shabbat Dinner? Food, Mini-Js, VIP Swag, And More
For December, Shabbat attendees will be treated to a pescatarian buffet-style dinner by the chefs of Happy Place Bakery, who will provide curated infusions to accompany the meal. Mini-J’s Prerolls will supply free “mini-js” for every guest, while Expoxy Judaica is donating personalized infused Shabbat candle holders. (Note to singles: Tradition says you should light one candle at a time and pray to meet your beshert [soulmate] at an event like this one.)
Those who purchase VIP tickets will receive deluxe swag bags with items from Modern Tribe, which specializes in Jewish-themed gifts from shirts and accessories to handcrafted dreidels and more; mushroom-based wellness brand Schedule 35; New York-based skin health provider Collagen Bar; and eye masks from MASK Skincare. Lifestyle brand Gotham Greens will also be onsite for the fun. As an added bonus for those who care passionately about the global situation, Sibs has partnered with the clothing brand Neighbs NYC on a hat featuring a Tel Aviv design; proceeds from pre-orders of the item will benefit Israeli causes.
What Makes The Infused Shabbat Dinner Special? Host Danit Sibs On Jewish Joy And Creating Community
Over the past few years, funny lady Sibs has made milestones, hosting the first cannabis-themed official comedy evening of the New York Comedy Festival (hooray for The HotBox), and producing events that have been acclaimed by CelebStoner and dazzled audiences from iconic venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan to the Hamptons. Her live comedy has featured alumni from MTV, Adult Swim, The Laugh Factory, TV’s greatest late-night shows, and many more. Yet the Infused Shabbat Dinner comes from a very serious place in her heart, one that speaks to the need for Jews and the people who love them across the world to unite in safe spaces.
The hostess with the most highs spoke to Honeysuckle about what inspired her to create this meaningful Infused Shabbat event, and what guests can expect.
HONEYSUCKLE MAGAZINE: How did you come up with the idea of the Infused Shabbat Dinner, and why is an event like this so important to you?
DANIT SIBS: I've been dreaming of this for a long time. There are infused dinners and Shabbat dinners, but no one in New York was doing infused Shabbat dinners. Actually, no one was doing anything for stoner Jews. There were just no events going on to bring us together in the cannabis space.
Then, October 7th happened. We need community now more than ever. Antisemitism is out of control in America, especially in New York. Then I found the space Loft 39 through my friend Barak Inbal at Mini-J’s. I've used it for my show The Hotbox, the first cannabis comedy show in New York Comedy Festival! It has a chef's kitchen that is just perfect for Shabbat. I've been working with Gary and Johnny at Happy Place Bakery for years. They are the best chefs with delicious food and infusions. They saw that chef's kitchen and let's just say the rest is history! Infused Shabbat Dinner at Loft 39 was born.
Many of the attendees at your first Shabbat event in November learned about it through an interesting flyer campaign. How did that work?
Well unfortunately, since October 7th, Jews in New York look at poles [because of] the hostage posters. My friends Zoe Schact-Levine and Jordana Schact-Levine have been postering for the hostages regularly since October 7th. Zoe came up with the idea to take this dinner to the streets because all Jews' eyes are on the poles. Wow, was she right! My girl and I spent the whole month of October flyering up and down Manhattan. After work, on the weekends, we flyered. And people heard about the dinner.
And you just about sold out! But let’s say someone comes to your December dinner not knowing much about Judaism or cannabis. What do you think makes it such a great intro to both?
First, the infusions are completely optional. You do not have to partake at all. Second, they are dosed out and put on top through olive oil, so you know exactly how much you are getting. You also have the option of opting out of infusions and sticking with the mini-j.
As far as Judaism goes, we are completely open to all. We're just there to have a dinner, more Israeli-style - community-style. We'll light candles together with Epoxy Judaica's gorgeous cannabis-infused candle holders, then say Kiddush and Motzi [the food and drink blessings] together. We'll dine and listen to Israeli music in the background while getting to know each other through the night. That's what I loved the most about living in Tel Aviv - Shabbat dinner.
Some people may expect Infused Shabbat to be similar to your comedy series The HotBox, but this will be very different. Do you expect to incorporate elements of the two event series into each other over time?
Great question! I am definitely thinking about it. In the meantime, I will be hosting my next HotBox show at the innovative space Caveat NYC, 9:30PM on January 11th - Save the date!
Anything else guests should know about December’s Infused Shabbat Dinner?
This is a place to connect and foster community with other like-minded Jews.
Infused Shabbat Dinner takes place on Friday, December 13, 2024, 7-11PM, at Loft 39, 38 West 39th Street in New York City. For tickets and more information, click here, and follow @infusedshabbatdinner on Instagram.
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Infused Shabbat candle holders by Epoxy Judaica will be provided at the upcoming Infused Shabbat Dinner on December 13, 2024, hosted by Danit Sibs at Loft 39 in NYC. (C) Epoxy Judaica, courtesy of Danit Sibs.
