Shabbat Hospitality
Over a thousand Jews from all over the world visit Kesher Israel every year. Whether visiting family, coming to town for a conference, or just seeing the sites, Kesher Israel welcomes you!
Our community strives to fulfill the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim by having a hospitality team working towards coordinating Shabbat meals for visitors and new residents with members of our shul.
If you would like to dine with a member of our community on Shabbat, please contact the hospitality committee via email before 5:30 PM on Monday of the week you wish to come. We will try our best to fill hospitality requests that we receive after Monday, but it is best to get your request in early.
While we will strive to find every guest spots at Shabbat meals, given the nature of the demographics of our community, we can cannot guarantee a Shabbat placement. We unfortunately can not accomodate for families or groups of five or more persons for meals or families with kids. We are happy to try, but please have a back-up plan ready if we are unsuccessful. Please see the DC Kosher and Jewish Resources section of our website to look into kosher resturaunts and butcheries where you can buy Shabbat meals the week of or reach out to the hospitality team for questions/recommendations. Please also see below for hotel recommendations that are close to Kesher and Shabbat friendly.
Our Hospitality Committee is here to help find you Shabbat meals in our community:
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Community Kashrut Standard
Our community adheres to strict Kashrut standards, that all hospitality hosts have agreed to abide by. Our Kashrut Standards can be found here. Any questions should be directed to Rabbi Shafner.
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Hotels for Shabbat
Unfortunately, the demographics of our community prevent us from offering places to stay overnight.
However, two hotels offer Kesher guests discounts for staying at least one night and will accommodate requests for a room on a low floor and help our guests get into the stairways on Shabbat/chag.
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The Watergate Hotel offers 10% off their best rate for 1 night, 15% for 2 nights, 20% for 3 nights or more, based on availability. Use offer code KESHER when making your reservation. Kosher meals are also available upon request. If you have any issues booking, please ask to speak with the in-house reservation office. |
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The Poppy Georgetown Guesthouse & Gardens is only a 5 minute walk from Kesher and is a great boutique option for Shabbat. Mention the code "Duber" when booking for a special Kesher discount. | |
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The Westin Georgetown is only a 5 minute walk from Kesher and is a great local option for event catering or Shabbat rooms. |
Other hotels to consider:
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Find current and previous Shabbat & Holiday Announcement Pages here.
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