Yom Tov Meals
Enjoy delicious, home-style Yom Tov meals shared around a warm and welcoming table.
During the tourist season, our Yom Tov experience is known for its warm hospitality, uplifting atmosphere, and delicious, satisfying meals filled with song, inspiration, and a true sense of community.
Reservations are required for all Yom Tov meals.
To make a reservation, please click on week you would like to book:
First days Sukkot (Sept 25 - 27)
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 Yom Tov meals are served in the adjacent ballroom.
Yom Tov Meal Reservations Are Now Open
Reserve your place for our Yom Tov meals. Advance reservations are required.
Sample Yom Tov Schedule
A typical schedule for Yom Tov will look like this:
1st Night
7:30pm Candle Lighting
7:35pm Mincha / Maariv
8:15pm Yom Tov dinner
1st 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 style meal
2nd Night
7:35pm Mincha / Maariv
8:15pm Yom Tov dinner
2nd 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 style meal
What to Expect at Yom Tov
Learn what to expect with the rhythm of Yom Tov, including candle lighting times, Night Services, Shabbat morning services, and Havdalah.
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Yom Tov Minyanim
During the summer, our Yom Tov 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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Night Dinner
After night davening, our Yom Tov experience begins with a warm and plentiful gourmet night dinner known for its upscale vibe and elegant, welcoming atmosphere.
Sample 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 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 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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Yom Tov Afternoon
Many of our guests choose to forego their regular Yom Tov 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 Style Meal
The Seudah Shlishit style meal 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 Yom Tov.
Sample 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 Yom Tov 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 Yom Tov candles in the dining hall in a safe area.
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 Yom Tov 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
Our Shabbat meals feature family-style seating, with men and women seated together. Tables generally accommodate 10–12 guests. Larger families or groups that fill a table will be seated together, while smaller families will be combined with other guests to fill a table. We do not offer small tables for private seating.
If you are coming with friends or family who have made a separate reservation, please let us know in advance, ideally in the notes of your reservation, and we will make every attempt to seat you together. It is important that every member of your family, including infants who may not eat, is included in your reservation. Seating arrangements are prepared and emailed before Shabbat.
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.
