How this works
- You fill out the request form.
- We receive your information via e-mail.
- Then we'll either host you ourselves or we'll find you a family
to host you for the meal.
- We'll send you an e-mail with the details of where your host family
lives and their e-mail address.
- We'll also send you directions on how to get to your host.
- When you arrive in Jerusalem, we ask that you phone us (our number
will be in the confirmation e-mail) to confirm that you are coming.
- That's it.
Frequently asked questions
Why are you doing this?
About ten years ago the rabbi of our synagogue, Shloime
Gestetner, bought an aliya to the Torah for me on Yom Kippur. It
cost him a lot of money and I was really shocked that he would think
so much of me to buy me the aliyah. At the end of the aliyah I wanted
to donate some money to the synagogue, but I didn't have very much.
Then, I had this idea that seemed crazy to me at the time--I made a
pledge to have 100 guests at our Shabbat table over the next year.
We'd never had guests at our Shabbat table before, so for us, this
was a serious commitment. My wife and I were concerned how we would
handle it, but then we realized it was just 2 guests every week for
almost a year.
Now, seven years later, we have an average of 14
guests a Shabbat and we want more!
How did you come up with this idea?
I was on a business trip from Jerusalem to New York City and
I was looking for a family to host me for a meal on Shabbat. I was
sure someone in New York would have a website doing exactly what
we're doing. There still might be a website like this, but I couldn't
find it. Then I said to myself, "I'll build a website for people
who come to Jerusalem to help them find a place to eat on Shabbat."
Why do you want so many guests?
I can answer that with a short story about two of my favorite
Chassidic Rebbes: Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli and Rabbi Elimelech
of Lizhensk.
The two brothers wanted to know why Shabbos is
such a special day. They went to their Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch
and asked him if it was the actual day of the week (Saturday) or
all the special prayers, food and deep intention (kavana) that
made Shabbos such a special day. He told them that they should
try observing Shabbos during the week and see what happens.
So they decided to make Shabbos on a Wednesday.
Tuesday morning they invited friends to attend the Shabbos meals.
In the afternoon they washed, immersed in the mikva (ritual
bath), donned their Shabbos clothes, and welcomed the Shabbos queen.
Then they recited kiddush, ate a Shabbos meal with their guests,
sang the special songs, and spent the day the way that only Chasidic
masters know how to spend a Shabbos day.
When the day was over, it felt just as beautiful
and special as when it was actually Shabbos. They didn't understand
why and so they went to ask their rebbe. When they got to the Maggid
they told him how they made Shabbos on Wednesday exactly like they
did on Saturday and it felt exactly the same. So, the rebbe asked
them, "Did you have three meals?" They nodded. "Did you invite
guests?" "Of course!" they both said in unison, "what kind of Shabbos
would it be without guests?!" Then the rebbe said, "That's
your answer. Had you not had guests for your Shabbos meals, you
would not have felt the same holiness."
And so, when you come to our house or any of the
hosts' homes, you are helping to give us the gift of Shabbos.
Do you keep kosher?
Yes. All of the families on our hosts list keep 100% kosher.
They can also make sure to have only Badatz certified ingredients
and vegetables if you ask for them.
Do I have to be religious to be hosted?
No, you just have to be Jewish.
Does it cost any money?
No. This is completely a mitzvah project and we just want to help
the Jewish people. Some people really want to contribute, so we set up a way to:
What if I live in Jerusalem or Israel, can
you still help me find a place for Shabbat?
Yes! We would be happy to help you.
Where are your hosts located?
In Nachalot, Jerusalem, in the center of town, within walking
distance of most of the major hotels. |
