The Unity Supper Movement

Unity Suppers bring together Jewish, Muslim, Black, Christian, Hindu and other communities around a shared table for meaningful meals, honest dialogue, and collective action.

Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Francisco Bay Area, and expanding

  • 500+ unique participants engaged across in-person Unity Suppers
  • 700+ followers reached and cultivated via @BmoreUnitySuppers on Instagram
  • Hundreds of cross-cultural relationships formed across faith, racial, and ethnic lines
  • Ongoing partnerships with synagogues, churches, temples, mosques, community centers and civic organizations
Case Study

In October 2024, a Black non-Jewish woman was invited to a Sukkot Unity Supper in Baltimore. She arrived admitting that sukkahs had always felt mysterious and a little intimidating to her growing up. As a girl in Park Heights, Baltimore, a neighborhood that was once predominantly Jewish and is now predominantly Black, she would walk past these temporary structures each fall with curiosity and no one to ask.

Sitting inside the sukkah that evening, surrounded by community and candlelight, something shifted. As the traditions of the holiday were shared: Themes of impermanence, gratitude, ancestral memory, and the honoring of those who came before. She recognized herself in the ritual. Her own ancestral reverence and ceremonial honoring felt like common ground.

She had brought her two children with her. Watching them learn, ask questions, and be welcomed into the space with warmth and openness was its own kind of revelation. What had once felt like someone else’s tradition began to feel like an invitation, one she wished she’d received decades earlier on those same Baltimore streets.

This is the magic of Unity Suppers: an opportunity to learn from another and deepen one’s own connection to themselves and their ancestors.

Lead Partners
3 - Logo - Third Space-1
3 - Logo - Jews of Color Mishpacha Project
3 - Logo - Saints Memorial Baptist Church
Affiliated Partners
Seam-Logo
Testimonials
Diana B

"The Interfaith Unity dinners are a vital antidote to the growing polarization of our modern world. Having personally attended these gatherings, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of breaking bread with those of different faiths. In a time when our society is increasingly fragmented and our children are often taught to prioritize immutable characteristics over character, these dinners offer a necessary shift in perspective. They move us away from the categories that divide us and return us to the fundamental principle of individual human dignity. Through these shared meals, the abstract "other" becomes a neighbor, and theological differences take a backseat to our shared values and common experiences. Whether sitting with Hindu or Christian friends, I found that the focus remained steadfastly on our collective humanity and the universal desire for peace and understanding. These dinners do more than just bridge communities; they remind us that despite our different traditions, what unites us is far more profound than what separates us. By fostering genuine connection, they provide a blueprint for a more compassionate and unified future for the next generation."

Linda H.

"We had such a great time. The energy in the room was warm, curious, and open. For people who had never met, we were conversing and laughing within minutes. The short film was the icing on the cake. Key takeaway: there need to be more events like this. This kind of connection should be a regular part of how our city shows up for itself."

Davis S.

"Over the last eight and a half months, I have attended three Unity Dinners with Leap Forward. During a time when antisemitism in the San Francisco Bay Area and all over the world is rampant and so many people are choosing to spread hate, it has been encouraging to meet people of other faiths who want to build bridges instead. My Jewish community has always been important to me; I now look forward not only to meaningful experiences with them, but also to each opportunity to connect with allies I would not have met without Leap Forward."

Mustafah E.

" I enjoyed talking about things that actually matter like faith, identity, values, community, belonging. Meaningful conversation doesn't require years of friendship. It just requires a willingness to listen."

Landon W.

"Baltimore gets a lot of narratives thrown at it, but what I see is a city that actually holds space for a lot of different people. Events like this prove that. Having the Muslim and Jewish liaisons sent a message that this work is being taken seriously at every level. Leadership showing up matters. It tells everyone in the room that what they're doing counts, and that the city is paying attention. That was a good look for Baltimore, and I hope it continues."

Ebony P.

"I love what this community has built here. There's something really special about watching these two groups, people who might other wise never share a room, find so much common ground so quickly. It's a breath of fresh air and a genuinely new way of learning. I learned from a real person sitting right in front of me, sharing their lived experience. I walked away seeing my own community differently, and that's not something I expected."

Sarah T.

"I left thinking, I want to help make this happen again! The care and intention behind the event was evident, and I'd love to contribute, especially with the sukkah build."

Kristen S.

"I left that event tonight a much better person. Thank you for creating truly just a life changing event for me. I am on cloud nine right now for so many reasons. You are doing a lot of good with this."

Get Involved

Are you a community leader, organization, or individual who believes in the power of shared meals and honest dialogue? We’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to attend a Unity Supper, host one in your city, or partner with us to expand this work, please reach out to dazia@leapforward.us and let’s build something together.

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