Friday 2 of 10

public briefing

Last stop, first table

Parashat Lech-Lechaלך־לך

Ask for a seat on Oct 23 Open the presentation
Date
Friday, October 23, 2026
Candle-lighting
5:52 pm
Havdalah, Saturday
6:47 pm
Where
Santa Monica

The ten Fridays

  1. Friday 1 Oct 16 Noach נח Candles 6:00 pm
  2. Friday 2 Oct 23 Lech-Lecha לך־לך Candles 5:52 pm
  3. Friday 3 Oct 30 Vayera וירא Candles 5:44 pm
  4. Friday 4 Nov 6 Chayei Sara חיי שרה Candles 4:38 pm
  5. Friday 5 Nov 13 Toldot תולדות Candles 4:33 pm
  6. Friday 6 Nov 20 Vayetzei ויצא Candles 4:29 pm
  7. Friday 7 Nov 27 Vayishlach וישלח Candles 4:27 pm
  8. Friday 8 Dec 4 Vayeshev וישב Chanukah, night 1 Candles 4:26 pm
  9. Friday 9 Dec 11 Miketz מקץ Chanukah, night 8 Candles 4:27 pm
  10. Friday 10 Dec 18 Vayigash ויגש Candles 4:29 pm

Fridays, October 16 to December 18.

The story

The E Line ends at Fourth and Colorado. This Friday's table is for the people who just got off it.

This week's Torah portion opens with two words: lech lecha, go forth. Abram is told to leave his land, his birthplace and his father's house for a place he has not seen. He goes. The story does not say he knew anyone when he got there.

The Metro E Line ends at Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue. Every week people step off that last train who moved here this year, for a job, a school, a person or the ocean. Many of them do not have a Friday night table here yet. This dinner is set for them.

Twelve of the 24 seats are held for people who arrived in the last 12 months. The other twelve go to people who have lived here five years or more, long enough to know which stall at the Wednesday market sells out first. Each of them brings one written tip for the newcomers. Candles are at 5:52 pm. Dinner ends at 8:52 pm.

This Friday's theme

Lech-Lecha, go forth: a Friday table for people who just moved to Santa Monica

If you just got here, you leave knowing people who live here.

Friday 2 is for people who moved to Santa Monica recently. Each commitment below can be checked on the night.

  • 12 of the 24 seats are held for people who moved to Santa Monica in the last 12 months.
  • Every newcomer sits next to someone who has lived here 5 years or more.
  • Every longer-time local brings one written tip, and every newcomer goes home with at least one tip card.
  • Candles are lit at 5:52 pm, even if some seats are still empty. Late arrivals are seated quietly.
  • Confirmed guests get the address on Wednesday, October 21 at 10 am. Nobody else gets it.
  • Dinner ends at 8:52 pm, 3 hours after candles.

What to count on

  • Candle-lighting that Friday is 5:52 pm.

    Hebcal for Santa Monica lists candle-lighting at 5:52 pm on Friday, October 23, 2026, 18 minutes before sunset, and havdalah at 6:47 pm on Saturday. Checked on October 9, 2026.

  • 12 seats are held for newcomers.

    Set in this Friday's seating plan. The number of newcomers who actually came is posted in the recap on October 25.

  • Every message for this Friday has a date.

    Partner briefing October 9, invitations October 13, address October 21, thank-you October 25. Each one is on the schedule in this briefing.

  • We post the numbers after every Friday.

    Friday 1 is on October 16 and its recap goes out on October 18, before this Friday.

  • The partners shown are examples.

    No business is named until it applies and is approved. The newcomers' group, bakery, wine shop and room in the guest and partner briefings are labeled illustrative until then.

Press

Awaiting approval

Fridays sets its second Shabbat table for Santa Monica newcomers

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 16, 2026

The full release opens once it is approved and the embargo has passed.

Friday 2 of 10

Come to Friday 2, Oct 23.

Candles at 5:52 pm. Ask for a seat and you hear back within 2 days; the address goes to confirmed guests 48 hours before.

Ask for a seat on Oct 23 Or partner this Friday