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Shabbat in Anywhere There’s a host family welcoming you practically anywhere in the world.
Shabbat.com is a new interactive way for Jews worldwide to be selectively paired with host families from all over the globe for Shabbat.
The site has homes opening their doors for fellow Jews in 40 countries, and has had over 6,000 sign-ups to date. Click on the link below to find your perfect match.
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Shabbat in Highland Park
Walk over the bridge for a Friday night dinner, Shabbat lunch or to stay, you are always welcome!
Bring a friend if you’d like and relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Shabbat |
Featured Article
How to be a Shabbat Guest
A guide to making your visit more pleasurable for you and your hosts
By Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Every family loves having sleep-over Shabbat guests.
But there is a reality you should be aware of: Families with children can entail a lot of juggling. Between laundry, Shabbat cooking, taking kids to the doctor… by the time Shabbat rolls around, everyone (especially the parents!) is looking forward to a bit of a break.
That’s where you, the Shabbat guest, come in. How can you be a good guest, while making your visit even more pleasurable? Try following these basic guidelines:
- Beforehand: Be sure to inform your hosts ahead of time of any dietary requirements — allergies, vegetarianism, etc. Most hosts would prefer going to the extra effort to prepare what you will eat, rather than have you sit there and go hungry in their home!
- What to Bring: Bring a gift. The safest thing is flowers, or wine if you’re familiar with your hosts standards of kashrut. You could also bring something to help keep the kids entertained — a ball or card game. Just make sure it is something the kids can play with on Shabbat (i.e. it’s not muktzah), and also be sensitive that it’s in the spirit of a Torah home (i.e. no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys).
- When to Arrive: Do not arrive three minutes before candle-lighting. One of your host’s many Shabbat preparations is to make sure their guests are settled in and taken care of with sheets, towels, etc. If you arrive at the last minute, you’re adding to the rush and tension. But don’t come too early, either — parents and children may be taking a nap, or washing the floor. The best time to arrive is 45-60 minutes before candle-lighting. This gives you enough time to get settled, and you can use the spare minutes to offer to help — setting the table, holding a baby, playing with the kids, etc.
- At the Table: The Mishne Brura says it’s a mitzvah to invite students for Shabbat because they add Divrei Torah to the Shabbat table. So don’t disappoint: Have one or two Divrei Torah prepared. Don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be a genius innovation. Just share something you learned about the parsha, or a personal experience that you found inspiring. And don’t wait to be asked; you can simply chime in.