OUR HOST FAMILIES

Since 2011, Shabbat of a Lifetime has facilitated over 150,000+ Shabbat experiences!

The Shabbat of a Lifetime Community consists of over 200+ host families in the Jerusalem area facilitating the best match for your group.

Our goal as a community is to ensure truly memorable experience for all of our guests!

Please feel free to meet some of our families….

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Landau Family

Chaim and Simi have been hosting with Shabbat of a Lifetime for over four years and have welcomed hundreds of travelers in their home. Chaim grew up in the United States and has been in Israel for over 20 years. He works at the Israel Psycho-trauma Center helping Israeli combat veterans transition to civilian Life. Simi, from Toronto, practices dentistry at her clinic in downtown Jerusalem. They have four  beautiful  children.    

 "We love the opportunity to welcome guests of all faiths and backgrounds and model this to our children" 

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Sterman Family

A born and bred Jerusalemite, Yoel is the CEO of a local real estate company in addition to heading an organization for person with disabilities- notably opening a store in which they are given the ability to earn a fair living while working jobs suited to their needs. Yoel and Daniella have been married a couple years and recently welcomed their first child in 2020. 

"The energy around our table is infectious. Learning about our guests experience in Israel is so inspiring and we love hearing new perspective on Israel"

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Efrati Family

Etan and Mandy live in Nachlaot with their four children. Mandy is a licensed CPA and serves as a financial controller at a renewable energy company. Etan manages Digital Marketing at OurCrowd. Mandy is passionate about running, spirituality and Torah. Etan loves entrepreneurship and plays percussion and guitar. 

"Every group we welcome into our homes, fills our table with new stories, experiences and connection. We look forward to having you around our Shabbat table"

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Bell Family

Avi is a well renowned international legal expert holding senior teaching positions at top US and Israeli law schools including Bar Ilan University and Harvard Law. Rachelle is the Director of the Israel Government Fellows Program for the past few years after previously serving as Director of BIO972, a science and business community. Avi was recently invited to discuss constitutional aspects of judicial independence on a government panel including Presidents of the Supreme Court of Israel. The Bells live in a beautiful apartment in David's Village together with their dog, Sadie.

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Berger Family

Akiva and Bracha got married in 2018 and just welcomed their first child in February. Akiva is a native Israeli and has a Masters in Jewish Education. He is now pursuing a PHD at the Technion University in Haifa. He is currently working as the lead developer for a tech company that helps farmers in developing countries. Bracha grew up in New York and made Aliyah after high school where she studied at a Jewish seminary and went on to complete a year of national service in a foster home. She completed a BA in Political Science and is now running a wedding registry company. 

 
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Saville Family

Adam, originally from the UK, has worked in the tourism industry for several years with educational stints in between such as directing the UJIA (United Jewish Israel Appeal). Shlomit, an Israeli native, is the Director of the Herzl Museum and has served in many other educational roles as well as doing Shlichut. Together they have 4 sons and live in a beautiful neighborhood in Jerusalem.

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Pell Family

Gaby grew up in Hendon, London and Micki in Brooklyn, New York. The couple met in Manhattan, lived in Australia for seven years and made Aliyah in 2008. Gaby holds a PHD in Medical Physics and works in the Bio-Technology world. Micki is a marriage therapist and relationship coach. The couple have four beautiful children.   

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Schick Family

Dr. Ari Schick is a postdoctoral fellow at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University specializing in Bioethics. Shana grew up in New Jersey, spent five years studying talmud full-time and received a BA, MA and PhD in Talmud from the Yeshiva University. She teaches in learning institutions and seminaries in both Israel and abroad. They live in Jerusalem with their beautiful children and love having guests from all over the world around their table.

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Samuels Family

Jodi & Gavin Samuels, originally from South Africa have lived in New Zealand, Australia, New York and finally made Israel their home 9 years ago.

Jodi is a serial entrepreneur and start-up consultant. She  is the founder of a not-for-profit organization, Jewish International Connection, dedicated to providing community for Jews from over 40 countries around the world. Jodi is also a passionate advocate for inclusion for people of different needs. She recently published her memoirs in a book – Chutzpah, Wisdom and Wine: The Journey of an Unstoppable Woman.

Gavin, completed his medical degree in South Africa and specialist training in Australia and New Zealand including working on the Royal Flying Doctor Service in far north Queensland. After completing an MBA, he moved to the pharma and biotech industry. He currently is the Chief Business Officer for CinRx Pharma based in Cincinnati.

The couple have three children – Meron (21) and his wife Efrat; Temira (19) and Caila (15). Meron and Temira are currently serving in the Israeli Defense Forces