Photographs

A genuine glimpse of the preparations and atmosphere

We do not take photographs during Shabbos or Yom Tov. Those seudos can therefore be documented only through photographs taken beforehand, such as the prepared tables, food, challos and sukkah. Photographs taken during an actual gathering will be limited to occasions when photography is permitted, such as the Purim seudah or Chol Hamoed.

These photographs come from many different occasions over a period of years. Together, they show that opening our home and preparing for guests has not been a handful of isolated events, but a continuing part of our lives.

Short videos

These recordings were made only on occasions when photography was permitted.

The need

Who will have a place at the table?

As the holy days of Tishrei approach, families throughout the Jewish world prepare to gather around their Yom Tov tables, with festive meals, zemiros, divrei Torah and the familiar warmth of being surrounded by those one loves.

But not everyone has a family table at which to sit.

Many young yeshiva bochurim have come to Eretz Yisrael from communities overseas. They are far from their parents, their own homes and the familiar atmosphere in which they grew up. Others are baalei teshuvah who are courageously building lives of Torah and mitzvos, but whose families do not yet observe Shabbos or Yom Tov. For them, returning “home” does not necessarily mean returning to a Shabbos table.

A Yom Tov seudah that should be filled with simchah can therefore become one of the loneliest moments of the year—unless somebody makes room.

The response

Opening our home throughout Tishrei

For many years, our home has been open on Shabbos and Yom Tov to bochurim from Chassidish and other yeshivos, bochurim from baalei teshuvah yeshivos, geirim, visitors and others who need an appropriate place to eat and feel at home.

This Tishrei, Be’ezras Hashem, we expect to prepare at least eighteen full seudos, ordinarily welcoming between ten and eighteen guests at each meal. This comes to approximately 300 individual places over Rosh Hashanah, the Shabbosim of the month, the meals surrounding Yom Kippur, Sukkos, Chol Hamoed, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.

Every seudah requires food, drinks, challos, disposable supplies and the many smaller things involved in welcoming a large group with dignity. As a young kollel family, we cannot carry these expenses alone. We therefore invite friends and others who value this work to join us in making the coming Tishrei possible.

Hachnasas orchim

More than providing food

Hachnasas orchim stands at the heart of Jewish life. Avraham Avinu, while still recovering from his bris, sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day, hoping to welcome guests. From his example, Chazal teach:

גדולה הכנסת אורחים מהקבלת פני שכינה“Welcoming guests is greater than receiving the Divine Presence.” — Shabbos 127a

The Rambam writes that the simchah of Yom Tov cannot be confined to one’s own household while those who are alone or in need are forgotten. A guest does not need food alone. He needs to know that somebody noticed his absence, prepared a place for him and is genuinely pleased that he came. That sense of belonging is what we try to create at every seudah.

Who joins us

A home away from home

• bochurim from Chassidish and other established yeshivos
• bochurim studying in baalei teshuvah yeshivos
• young men whose families live overseas
• geirim without a Jewish family with whom to spend Yom Tov
• baalei teshuvah whose relatives do not yet keep Shabbos or Yom Tov
• visitors in Yerushalayim without an appropriate place for the seudah
• others who need the warmth and stability of a family table

Over the years, former guests have sent us their wedding photographs and written that they still remember the warmth of the Shabbos and Yom Tov tables they experienced in our home. Parents have contacted us to say that we created a home away from home for their son. A meal lasts a few hours; the knowledge that one was wanted and remembered can remain for many years.

The coming Tishrei

Approximately 300 places in one month

• at least 18 complete Shabbos and Yom Tov seudos
• approximately 10–18 guests at each meal
• roughly 300 individual places over Tishrei
• meals for bochurim, geirim, baalei teshuvah and guests from overseas
• a full family atmosphere, with zemiros, divrei Torah and the dignity of a proper Yom Tov seudah

Ways to participate

You do not need to have money in order to help

Financial support is only one way to participate. You can also share this project with relatives, friends or others who may value the opportunity; approach somebody who may wish to help; or assist us in reaching the right people.

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe related during the midday tisch on Parashas Behaaloscha in Moshav Ora: