A good venue for a kosher camp is not the prettiest hotel in the area. It is one that gives the kitchen exclusively, has a hall for Shabbat and rooms for activities, closed grounds, and does not get in the way of the group's daily rhythm. This is the checklist we use for youth camps, family camps and seminars.
1. Kitchen
- permission for an exclusive kitchen (or part of one) from two days before arrival, to kosher it and to lock it;
- permission for the group's own products and equipment;
- enough sockets and circuits for platas and urns on Shabbat;
- venue staff work as usual in their own areas - the group's team runs the kitchen.
Details: koshering a kitchen for a camp, step by step.
2. Halls
- one large hall where the whole group fits for the Shabbat meal and prayer;
- several smaller rooms for activities - how many depends on the program (a youth camp needs more than a family camp);
- halls free for the whole of Shabbat, with no other events at the venue;
- if halls are short - space for a tent on the grounds.
3. Grounds and exclusivity
- exclusive use, or clear separation from other guests - children and teens are active until late;
- grounds closed to outsiders - peace of mind for the organizer and parents;
- a pool is a big plus; for girls' groups, ideally with a female lifeguard;
- a sports field and space for outdoor activities.
4. Rooms
- for adults, ideally single, double and triple rooms; for children and teens, a room layout that lets you separate groups and counselors;
- for family camps: a higher standard, space for small children;
- a counselors' room with space for materials and storage.
5. Shabbat in the building
- keys instead of cards, or locks set to stay open;
- corridor and stair lights on permanently, not on motion sensors;
- on Shabbat, hot water from an urn boiled before Shabbat, not from a tap fed by a boiler;
- a safe place for candles.
Full list: Shabbat for a group in a hotel - 10 things to agree.
6. Area and access
- access from the airport most participants fly into - no travel on Saturday, so arrivals and departures on other days;
- for a family camp: children's attractions and trips within a short drive;
- for a youth camp: the program is mostly on site, so halls and grounds matter more than the area.
7. Practical matters
- drinking water: tap water quality, the option of delivered bottles;
- internet and equipment in the halls (projector, sound);
- someone from the venue available on Shabbat for breakdowns;
- the state of plumbing and showers - better checked before arrival than on site.
In writing before the contract
Kitchen, halls, exclusivity, who pays for utilities and staff help - all in the venue's written answers before you sign. If the venue also runs its own camps, ask about dates early: in season it has few free dates.
Frequently asked questions
Does the venue need prior experience with Jewish groups?
No. It is enough that it agrees to an exclusive kitchen, a hall for Shabbat and a few technical arrangements. Venues that have hosted such groups before are easier to work with, but they are not the only option.
What matters more: the area or the venue?
For a youth camp, usually the venue: halls, kitchen, closed grounds. For a family camp the area matters too - children's attractions and trips within a short drive.
What if the venue has too few halls?
Consider a tent on the grounds - for activities, a synagogue or a shared Shabbat meal. Lit from inside, it works in the evening too; in cool weather it needs heating.
Can one venue host two groups?
Yes, if the dates do not overlap or the groups do not need exclusive use. Leave time between groups to prepare the kitchen and halls.
SEBIR helps organizers check a venue for kitchen and Shabbat, and then runs the kosher kitchen there - in Poland and across Europe. The organizer books accommodation directly with the venue.
Prepared by the SEBIR team. Since 2023 we have been running kosher kitchens and Shabbat for Jewish groups in Poland and Europe. Last updated: October 2026. If something here is out of date, write to info@sebir.pl - we will check and correct it.