Shabbat / שַׁבָּת
What's our Shabbat like?
We always say you really just have to come and experience it. But, for the uninitiated, think all in, informal, and transformational. We’re going for a taste of the world to come.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Location
We’re usually at the San Francisco Friends School, with the occasional pop-up at Potrero Hill Neighborhood House. Sometimes we switch it up completely. Always check our calendar for locations.
Time
We’d rather have you come “late” or leave early than not come at all. If you like to be prompt, here’s the lineup:
6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat + Ma’ariv
8:00 PM Shabbat Dinner
Torah
Our Rabbi, Noa Kushner, or a visiting scholar, will drash/teach on the week’s torah portion. If you want to hear – or read – torah, come back for Shabbat AM. Interested in what you’ll be learning? You can always find the week’s torah portion here.
Dinner
We daven, celebrate & dine! Dinner is (usually) by Chef Chris Ratcliff, who creates a unique menu inspired by his trip to local farmers’ markets. Our dinners are truly farm-to-table.
Click here to learn more about how to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning
Location
We’re usually at the San Francisco Friends School, with the occasional pop-up at Potrero Hill Neighborhood House. Sometimes we switch it up completely. Always check our calendar for locations.
Time
We’d rather have you come “late” or leave early than not come at all. If you like to be prompt, here’s the lineup:
10:00 AM Shabbat AM + Torah Service
12:00 PM Kiddush Lunch
Torah
The torah portion of the week can be found here. Rabbi Noa Kushner, a visiting scholar, and the occasional bonus drash from a b’nai mitzvah, will drash/teach on the week’s torah portion.
Kiddush Lunch
Everyone is invited to stay for The Kitchen’s kiddush lunch post services! Coffee, bagels, schmears, salads, sweets and usually a special surprise if lunch is sponsored by a Kitchen-ite.
Click here to learn more about how to sponsor.
Music
Led by Hazzan Asher Shasho Levy and our all-star davening team, we're singing and praying to find shabbat, full stop. With melodies from places like Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Syria, and Uzbekistan (!) we always get there. Want to hear some? You can, here. P.S. Our new siddur and studio recordings will be ready by Hannukah.
Audio Livestream Shabbat
Every Shabbat AM + PM we offer an audio live stream of Shabbat. Click on the ‘Audio Shabbat’ button to listen on Fridays at 6:00 PM for Shabbat PM + Saturdays at 10 AM for Shabbat AM, whenever we have an in-person service scheduled. You don't need to register.
Check calendar dates for specific programing + special events that might include a visual livestream component.
Upcoming shabbat dates & programs
Click through for registration
Music
Led by Hazzan Asher Shasho Levy and our all-star davening team, we're singing and praying to find shabbat, full stop. With melodies from places like Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Syria, and Uzbekistan (!) we always get there.
Start listening now, to get you in the flow.
P.S. Our new siddur and studio recordings will be ready by Hannukah.
Kiddush Sponsorship
Did you know it’s a mitzvah to celebrate with your community?
Your big day is coming up – whether it's your wedding, baby naming, birthday, anniversary, graduation, a personal win, or you have a special moment like a loved one's yahrzeit – you should be doing it with The Kitchen community.
It's not just beautiful, it's also a meaningful way to share your simcha/joy with the community and show some love to The Kitchen.
Ready to rock this? Fill out this form with info about your big day & the sponsorship level of your choice.
Now, let's talk options. We've got three sponsorship levels* to choose from.
$720 Partial Kiddush Sponsorship
Think bagels, spreads, salads, sweets, and drinks from Wise Sons. You're part of the cool crew for a standard kiddush lunch.
$1,440 Full Kiddush Sponsorship
Foodie alert! This one covers the costs for a kiddush lunch, but you get to team up with us to pick the vendor and the menu you dig.
$2,880 Deluxe Luncheon Sponsorship
Let's create a mind-blowing kiddush experience with your own ideas. We're talking tons of scrumptious choices and awesome decor. We're here to make it happen.
Oh, and wait! We're totally down for some smaller but mighty support too:
$360 Kiddush Supporter
$180 Sweets Sponsor
$90 Scotch Sponsor
$54 Coffee Sponsor
*Quick note: b'nai mitzvahs play by different rules and have their own special offerings.
Have questions? Write to us at hello@thekitchensf.org.
Things to know at services:
1.
Shabbat/services are a Tech-Free Zone. So please turn off your cell phones. No taking pictures. No podcasts. As we like to say: God rarely texts.
2.
The white street zone in front of the San Francisco Friends building is not meant for parking. Sorry.
3.
We love kids to be kids in services AND they must be supervised at all times. We always have cool stuff for them, but please, if kids are leaving services, they must be walked there (and back). No solo hall expeditions.
4.
We want you (yes, you!) in the front row, don’t be shy!
5.
Please stack your siddurim on the end of the benches following services.
7.
Please do not go in and out of the side doors during services (they slam).
8.
We can’t do what we do without you! Volunteering at services is the best and easiest way to give back to the community. I mean, you’re already coming to services, right? Email hello@thekitchensf.org to get involved.
9.
If we have extra room for dinner, we’ll let the whole room know at the end of services. There is always enough room for Shabbat AM kiddush lunch.
FAQs for before Shabbat
What should I wear?
Please come as you are with honor for Shabbat. If that means jeans for you, great. If that means dressing up, great. We’re a pretty informal, California group. (Read: no ties).
Do I need to come on time?
No. Most people come late. Also, we’d truly rather you come late or leave early than not come at all.
Do I need to register? Even if I’m a member?
Yes, it really helps us! When we’re able to have an accurate count of who will be joining us then we can give you the royal-est treatment.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Our meals are vegetarian and vegan-friendly / gluten-free-friendly. We can typically accommodate most allergies, just give us a heads-up in advance.
Are kids welcome?
100%. We love them in services and we also often have supervised, kid-friendly spaces in the building. This is not a shush service, except during the Mourners Kaddish.
Do I need to be a member?
Everyone is welcome at The Kitchen for shabbat services. If you want 1:1 time with the rabbi, shabbat dinner bonus tickets, adult education, most holiday tickets, and knowledge that you’re supporting and building a really cool jewish thing – check out our membership options here.
Security guards funded by the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund Security Local Needs Emergency Grant.
Lifecycles
You know when the guest of honor is lifted up in a chair at a wedding or simcha/celebration? The Kitchen helps you get there. And you know when life seems like one loss after another? We’re here for those times, too. As a Kitchen-ite, weddings, baby namings, funerals, and everything that goes with those moments, you name it, it’s all part of your membership.
Thinking about becoming a Kitchen member and making it official? Contact our Executive Director, Spencer Weiss here.