Shabbat Meals
Enjoy delicious, home-style Shabbat meals shared around a warm and welcoming table.
During the tourist season, our Shabbat experience is known for its warm hospitality, uplifting atmosphere, and delicious, satisfying meals. The Friday night, Shabbat day, and Shlishit meals are filled with song, inspiration, and a true sense of community.
Reservations are required for all Shabbat meals.
All meals take place at the Jewish Welcome Centre in the heart of the Niagara Falls tourist district. Our synagogue is located on the second floor of the Centre, and Shabbat meals are served in the adjacent ballroom.
Off-Season
During the off-season, Shabbat meals are not offered. Depending on visitor attendance or special events, a minyan may be available at the synagogue.
Visitors are welcome to join the University Students for Shabbat during the off-season.
Shabbat Meal Reservations Are Now Open
Reserve your place for our Shabbat meals. Advance reservations are required.
Sample Shabbat Schedule
A typical schedule for shabbat will look like this:
Friday Night
7:30am Candle Lighting
7:35pm Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbos
8:15pm Shabbat dinner
Shabbat Day
9:00am Coffee & Cake
9:30am Chasidus
10:00am Shachrit
12:00pm Kiddush & Lunch
40 minutes before sunset Mincha
15 minutes before sunset Seudah Shlishit
Separate swimming at the hotel pool
11:00 PM females | 12:00 AM males
What to Expect at Shabbat
Learn what to expect with the rhythm of Shabbat, including candle lighting times, Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat morning services, and Havdalah.
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Shabbat Minyanim
During the summer, our Shabbat davening is infused with a uniquely uplifting energy. Guests from around the world and across the Jewish spectrum come together in heartfelt, unified prayer. Many describe it as soul-nourishing, deeply moving, refreshing... a spiritual-spa like experience.
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Friday Night Dinner
After Friday night davening, our Shabbat experience begins with a warm and plentiful gourmet Friday night dinner known for its upscale vibe and elegant, welcoming atmosphere. A taste of Shabbat you’ll always remember.
Sample Friday Night Menu
APPETIZERS
Gefilte Fish and Poached Salmon served with a garden salad and six Israeli-style dips
SOUP
Hearty Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls and Croutons
MAIN COURSE
Grilled Chicken and Roast Beef served with white basmati rice and roasted seasonal vegetables
DESSERT
Tiramisu Cake with fresh fruit
EXTRAS
Challah and an assortment of fine wines
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Kiddush Luncheon
Our Shabbat kiddush luncheon is a feast for every palate. From a huge assortment of dips and fresh salads to a variety of herrings, to protein-packed meats, to Haimish cholent and a variety of kugels, there’s truly something for everyone.
Sample Shabbat Day Menu
APPETIZERS
Fish: Gefilte Fish, Fried Fish, Fish Balls, Assorted Herrings
Fresh Salads: Garden Salad, Balsamic Mango Strawberry Salad, Quinoa Salad
Assorted Israeli-Style "Salatim": Babaganoush, Fried Eggplant, Hummus, Moroccan Carrots and many, many more!
HAIMISH MAINS
Kugels: Assortment of kugels such as Potato, Apple, Zokini, and Lokshen Kugel
Cholent: Hearty overnight stew with homestyle ingredients just like Bubbie's. Meat & Vegetarian Cholent options available
Charcuterie of Assorted Cold Cuts: Pastrami, Corned Beef, Turkey, Roast Beef, Salami
DESSERT
Fruit Platter, Petits Fours, Exquisite Cakes, and a Candy Bar
EXTRAS
Challah and an assortment of fine wines
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Shabbat Afternoon
Many of our guests choose to forego their regular Shabbat nap to embrace a different type of menucha. Just steps from the Welcome Centre, you can enjoy the majestic Falls, nearby parks and scenic overlooks.
In the Jewish Welcome Center, we have board games and some books to read.
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Seudah Shlishit
Seudah Shlishit at Jewish Niagara is a light, yet plentiful meal featuring fresh, nourishing dishes, a vibrant salad bar, and a cheese bar, served in a warm, relaxed setting. As the sun sets, guests join in beautiful zemirot, heartfelt conversation, and peaceful bonding time.
The experience concludes with Maariv and a soulful, song-filled Havdalah to close out Shabbat.
Sample Seuda Shlishit Menu
SPECIALTY STATIONS
- Salad Bar: A vibrant array of fresh greens, seasonal toppings, and flavorful dressings
- Artisanal Cheese Boards: Assorted cheeses and paired with a variety of gourmet crackers, spreads and fruits
- Poke Bar: Build-your-own Poke Bowls with colorful, sushi inspired ingredients, flavorful toppings and sauces
- Classic Vegetarian Deli: Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, antipasti, pickled vegetables and other assorted "smear" served with challah buns, crackers
DESSERT
Ice Cream Bar with assorted toppings, sauces, and occasional surprise treats to end Shabbat on a sweet note
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Motzaei Shabbat
While Motzaei Shabbat isn't officially included in our Shabbat package, the independently owned dairy restaurant on-site opens after Shabbat for your convenience. Our Welcome Centre is open to help you—whether you're looking for local recommendations or assistance booking next-day attractions.
Larger groups booking Shabbat in advance are invited to inquire about Melava Malka meals and custom attraction add-ons for a seamless and spirited close to Shabbat.
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Candle Lighting
Join us in the dining hall for lighting.
Tea lights are provided for lighting Shabbat candles in the dining hall in a safe area every Friday.
Please do NOT light any candles in your hotel rooms. It is forbidden by all city bylaws and hotels, and you may be fined.
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Hotels and Eiruv
For Shabbat guests, we recommend staying at the Wyndham or Hyatt. These hotels are located within the limited eiruv surrounding the Jewish Welcome Centre and offer a manual Shabbat entrance.
Please note that the eiruv does not extend to Niagara Falls. While the Falls are within walking distance, carrying items outside the eiruv is not permitted on Shabbat.
Shabbat keys are not available at Niagara hotels. Upon request, we can provide magnets to place on your hotel room door to help prevent it from locking over Shabbat. Please note that neither Jewish Niagara nor the hotel is responsible for lost or stolen items. We recommend securing valuables in the hotel safe or making other arrangements with hotel staff before Shabbat.
Policies & Important Information
We take great care to ensure that every guest has a comfortable seat and that each party is accommodated properly.
That’s why it’s important to include all guests in your reservation — including infants and children, even if you don’t expect them to sit for the meal. This allows us to prepare accordingly, avoid awkward situations, and create a warm and welcoming experience for everyone.
Seating arrangements are planned well in advance, so if you are traveling with another party that is booking separately, please let us know and we will do our best to seat you together. Smaller parties without special seating requests may be combined with other guests to create shared tables of up to 10 guests (individual small private tables are not available).
Until one week prior to your reserved Shabbat, a 95% refund is available (as credit card processing no longer refunds the fees that were assigned to your charge). There will be no refunds after Wednesday, 11:59 pm of the week prior to the shabbat. A 70% refund is available for cancellations made at least 72 hours before Shabbat. All cancellations must be submitted via email to Shabbat@JewishNiagara.com. Voice messages are not considered to have been received. Reservations made within 48 hours of Shabbat are final.
Please ensure that your reservation includes all persons joining for Shabbos. If you reserved for 2 adults and did not include your infant (because the infant does not eat), your reservation is incomplete. It is imperative that we know exactly how many people are joining, including infants on laps, etc. we simply need to know for planning purposes and seating arrangements. Please ensure that all your family members, with first and last names are included in your reservation to avoid confusion and unnecessary disorder at the onset of the Shabbat meal. Please review your reservation, and if any changes are required, email us ASAP.
Our minyanim are generally well attended over the summer months. There have however been times when due to unfortunate circumstances, our program needs to be cancelled or full minyanim are predicted to not be full enough. We will do our best to inform you in advance if we suspect a shabbat program will have lower numbers so that you have options (food delivery to the hotel, rebooking or getting a refund when applicable). We will work with you to help make the best plan possible under the circumstances.
