Shabbat for Jewish Groups in Poland - How We Organise It

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SEBIR organises Shabbat from start to finish. Meals cooked in advance and kept warm, a place to pray with a mechitza, everything for Kiddush and Havdalah, and lodging with no need to travel - matched to the group's level of observance. Write to us: info@sebir.pl

Lit Shabbat candles on a table during a Jewish group event in Poland — Candle-lighting opens Shabbat - from that moment everything must already be prepared.

Why Shabbat on the road needs preparation

Shabbat lasts from candle-lighting at dusk on Friday until three stars appear on Saturday evening. During that time there is no cooking, no kindling of fire or operating devices, no travel and a range of other forbidden work. For a group in an unfamiliar place this means one thing: all the logistics must be closed before Shabbat begins.

So a good group Shabbat is, above all, good preparation. Below is what we take on - and we match the level of detail to how observant the group is.

Before Shabbat - what we prepare

Before the candles are lit, everything the group needs is already on site:

Meals cooked in advance and kept warm - our own metal hot plates and warming mats instead of cooking, hot-water urns and thermoses.
Candles to light, challah and challah covers, wine or grape juice for Kiddush.
Water for netilat yadayim (a natla - a two-handled cup) at meals.
Shabbat conveniences on request: pre-torn paper in rooms and shared restrooms.
Lodging planned so no travel is needed on Shabbat - prayer, meals and rooms in one place.

An elegantly set hall table for a group Shabbat dinner - flowers, challah and napkins — A group Shabbat table - set and ready before Shabbat begins.

Prayer: a temporary synagogue, mechitza and minyan

If there is no active synagogue nearby, we set up a prayer space for the group's stay - from a conference room, a separate room or an outdoor tent (with lighting, tables and chairs).

Mechitza - a partition separating the women's and men's sections.
Siddurim and the basics for prayer; an aron kodesh on request.
Help with the practical details: how many places for women and men, and combining with a study room if needed.

HONESTLYA minyan (ten men) depends on the make-up of the group. If the group does not form one, we help make contact with a local community where possible - but we cannot guarantee it, as it depends on the place and on people's availability.

A woman reading a prayer from a siddur beside a plaque with the blessing after candle-lighting — A prayer space arranged for the duration of the group's stay.

Three meals and the rhythm of Shabbat

Shabbat has its rhythm of three meals, around which the whole day is built:

Friday dinner - after prayer: Kiddush, challah and a full warm meal.
Saturday lunch - dishes kept warm since Friday (the classic is cholent), with no cooking on Shabbat.
Seudah shlishit - the third, lighter meal towards the end of the day.
Room for singing (zmirot) and a calm, shared atmosphere - often the most remembered part of the trip.

Havdalah - the close of Shabbat

Shabbat ends with havdalah on Saturday evening. We prepare everything needed: a braided candle (ner havdalah), wine and spices (besamim, e.g. cloves). It is a short, beautiful ritual separating Shabbat from the rest of the week - and a natural close to the shared day.

Kosher food and logistics

The whole Shabbat rests on kosher food - prepared on site, with strict kashrut and separation of meat and dairy. How our kitchen works, the two service models, a full week's menu and the night challah baking are described separately: see our page on the kosher kitchen for groups.

Kosher baked goods and fruit prepared for a group meal — Meals prepared in advance and kept warm, without cooking on Shabbat.

How SEBIR helps

We bring this into one seamless service, so the group need not think about logistics - only live the Shabbat:

meals, warming, candles, challah and everything for Kiddush and Havdalah,
a prayer space with a mechitza (an aron kodesh on request), siddurim,
lodging and a programme arranged so no travel is needed on Shabbat,
language support (Polish, English, Russian, and Hebrew if needed).

TAILOREDWe match everything to the group's level of observance - from full mehadrin to a more basic scope. Tell us what you need.

Planning a group trip that includes Shabbat in Poland? Write to us - we will arrange it all so everything is ready before candle-lighting.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we have to be observant to arrange a Shabbat with you?

No. We match the scope to the group - from full mehadrin to a more basic level. What matters is that we know your expectations in advance.

What about food, since cooking is not allowed on Shabbat?

We prepare meals before Shabbat and keep them warm on hot plates, with hot water from urns - without cooking during Shabbat itself.

Do you provide a minyan?

If the group forms a minyan itself, we prepare the prayer space. If not, we help reach a local community where possible - but we cannot guarantee it.

Can Shabbat be held in a hotel or centre?

Yes. We set up a prayer space (a room or a tent), a mechitza and the facilities, and plan lodging so no travel is needed.

Do you also provide kosher food for the rest of the trip?

Yes - we run kosher catering throughout the stay. The details are on a separate page about the kosher kitchen.