Erev Shabbat Connection Initiative

People who live alone and therefore would spend Erev Shabbat by themselves, can contact Troy Mitchell via email to see if there is an available host to take them in for Erev Shabbat. If you can host guests on Friday nights, please contact Troy Mitchell.

Here’s the process:

People in need of a place to go for Friday night would contact Troy by the previous Wednesday by email.
The potential guest’s name would be sent out to a database of hosts.
If there is an available host, that host would then contact Troy and the guest as soon as possible (by Wednesday night, ideally).
The guest and the host would communicate any dietary and kosher concerns, as well as when the guest should come and what they should bringIf you

Rules of Engagement

Guests:

You are not obligated to use this service every week. Perhaps you would like to host yourself, spend Shabbat alone, or have plans already.
Ask your host if you can bring something. If they say no, bringing flowers or a bottle of wine or grape juice (be sensitive to your hosts policy on alcohol) is always an appropriate gift for your host.
People who do not drive on Shabbat and/or need a kosher kitchen will be matched up with an appropriate house when possible. Keep in mind, this may limit your chances of finding an available host, due to a limited amount of houses that fit that criteria.
You are not guaranteed a place to go on Friday night. Host houses may be filled up already or not accepting guests that week. In the likely event that this might happen (you should know by Thursday morning), you will have adequate time to purchase or prepare some Shabbat necessities for yourself.
Communicate any food allergies or dietary requirements with your host, and be as flexible as possible. Don’t require a host to cater specifically for you, explain what you can eat. If there is a problem, bring food to share that you can all eat.

Hosts:

There’s no limit to how many guests you can take.
You do not have to be available to take in guest(s) every week. Perhaps you only want to host once or twice a month, or once a year, it’s totally up to you. Remember, it’s not all or nothing.
Ask your guests about food allergies, dietary, and/or kosher concerns. Try to be as accommodating as possible and have open communication. Find out if they have any allergies, see if they require kosher certified meat, kosher wine, meat and dairy separation, etc. and do you best to accommodate or provide alternative options at the table if necessary. Making your guests feel welcome is a big mitzvah.