Ahead of New York Fashion Week, CFDA Hosted Its First-Ever Shabbat Dinner

Less than a week before New York Fashion Week kicks off, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) hosted its first-ever Shabbat dinner, inviting members of all backgrounds from the fashion community to come together at The Otter at The Manner in a celebration of visibility and connection.

Shabbat, a cornerstone of Judaism, is a day of rest practiced weekly from Friday to Saturday, sundown to sundown. It is a time to reflect on the week that has passed and to reset before the week ahead. The tradition is usually marked by the lighting of candles, breaking of Challah bread, joining in song and prayer, and coming together with one’s community.

As guests arrived, they were welcomed by a Don Julio 1942-sponsored cocktail bar offering drinks artfully infused with Jewish culture. There was a “NY 1942 Sour” mixed with Manischewitz (a sweet, kosher red wine that is often enjoyed in Jewish celebrations) and garnished with a mini Challah, an “Apples & Honey” martini paying homage to the pairing enjoyed on the Jewish New Year, and a “Spicy Pickle Margarita,” an ode to Jewish delis everywhere.

Guests Zac Posen, Andre Walker, Michael Halpern, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Nicky Campbell, and more were guided into the main dining room, but not without first being offered a shot of Manischewitz to join Master of Ceremonies and New York comedian Modi Rosenfeld for the Kiddush and Hamotzi (the prayers said each Shabbat over the wine and Challah, respectively).

Alex Stupak, chef of The Otter, designed a three-course meal complemented by Challahs and Rugelach and courtesy of Breads Bakery. Served family style, the menu put a Jewish flare on the restaurant's usual offerings—a Borscht with Horseradish Cream was included among the appetizers—with mini Latkes to accompany the main courses: Steamed Halibut & Gem Lettuce and a Maitake Mushroom Fettuccine. A dessert of Pistachio Tiramisu and Seasonal Sorbets followed.

For some guests, Shabbat is a necessary part of their week. There were also others who had never tried Challah before. Batsheva Hay was part of the former group. “I’m walking home tomorrow,” she told me. Some observing Shabbat over the 24-hour period will refrain from using electricity or doing anything seen as “work,” including starting an engine. “We are very very serious about it. I do think it’s one of the things that keeps me really happy and grounded." However, to many others like Fletcher Kasell, this was a night of firsts. “We don't know a lot about Shabbat,” Kasell said of himself and his partner, Tanner Richie. “I have no idea what to expect!”

It was this aspect of the night—people of all backgrounds coming together in a moment of joy and community—that aptly represented the purpose of the event and the meaning of Shabbat.

“This special gathering is more than a meal. It symbolizes connection, inclusivity, and the shared values that unite us as creators and collaborators,” said Steven Kolb, Chief Executive Officer of the CFDA.

Kolb was inspired to bring a CFDA Shabbat to New York after he co-hosted one with Caroline Rush of the British Fashion Council and the Hadida family this past September in Paris. When Kolb told CFDA’s Marc Karimzadeh that he wanted to do something similar in New York, Karimzadeh began conversations with Fashion and Beauty Against Antisemitism (FABAA), who had played an integral role in the Paris dinner. Last Friday’s event was CFDA-produced with the help of FABAA via Deborah Lyons and Mandi Lennard, and made possible with support from Gap Inc. and Urban Zen.

No matter each individual’s previous experience with Shabbat, there was a widespread warmth and engagement with the holiday that lingered between each table. Shabbat delivers us a “necessary anchor,” pronounced Rebecca Moses. “We need laughter, we need joy, and we need delicious moments.”