For the fourth year in a row, guests of South by Southwest (SXSW)—the cutting-edge music, film and digital-communications festivals and conferences in Austin, Texas—can take a break from the hyper-frenzied networking gig and join a unique Shabbat community, dubbed #openShabbat.

The brainchild of Rabbi Mordechai and Chana Lightstone, #openShabbat is an unplugged meal and networking event—scheduled for March 7 at the Hilton Austin Hotel—for Jewish guests of SXSW and local Jewish residents. (For the uninitiated, “unplugged” means that technological communication devices are not invited.) The idea was born out of an ad hoc kosher barbecue the Lightstones hosted at SXSW in 2010.

The first Shabbat meal was held the next year, and it has continued to grow by word of mouth, with attendance reaching 120 guests last year.

“Regardless of background, knowledge or personal observance,” Lightstone says, “we offer everyone a literal seat at the table.”

The rabbi—a member of the ROI Community, which connects Jewish leaders around the world—explains that #openShabbat represents an island of serenity in the midst of the hyper-digital conference, which began in 1987. A sit-down meal without technology encourages face-to-face conversations and long-form conversation. “While the connective power of the Internet is unprecedented, we also have to take a step back and find balance by creating a space where we can connect without our devices,” he says.

This year, #openShabbat has been made possible by an Indiegogo campaign, a partnership with Jon Medved and OurCrowd, and private donations.

The dinner will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton, 500 E. Fourth St. in Austin. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Additional information about #openShabbat can be found on Facebook. Mordechai Lightstone can be followed on twitter: @Mottel.