The well at evening

Parashat Chayei Saraחיי שרה

Ask for a seat on Nov 6 Open the presentation

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Candle-lighting: 4:38 pm
Havdalah, Saturday: 5:34 pm
Where: Santa Monica

The ten Fridays

Fridays, October 16 to December 18.

The story

Candles at 4:38 pm on the first Friday of early dark. Come from work, pour for your neighbor, and bring the name of someone who came before.

In Chayei Sara, Abraham's servant reaches a well at evening and sets himself a test. He will ask for a sip of water, and the right person will give it and offer to water his ten camels too. Before he has finished speaking, Rebecca walks out and does exactly that. The portion opens with Sarah's death and Abraham buying a place to bury her, and it brings Isaac and Rebecca together. The turn comes at the well, with one kind act that went past the request.

November 6 is the first Friday after the clocks fall back. Sunset is at 4:57 pm and candles are lit at 4:38 pm, while most of us are still at work. The servant reached the well at evening. This week evening reaches the table before most of the guests do.

So this Friday is built for coming late, and for the people who came before. The host lights on time. Whoever walks in after is handed a glass of water and shown to a seat. Four seats are held for elders. Bring the name of one person who came before you and one thing they used to say. We say the names out loud before the brisket.

This Friday's theme

Kindness past what was asked, and the names of the people who came before

Candles at 4:38 pm. Your seat waits if you come from work.

This is the first Friday on standard time, so candles are lit during the workday. Each commitment below can be checked on the night and is reported in the thank-you on November 8.

The host lights candles at 4:38 pm, whether 3 guests have arrived or 24.
Every guest who RSVPed yes has a seat and a plate held until 6:30 pm, with a greeter at the door until then.
Kiddush and challah wait until 5:20 pm so that people coming from work can be at the table for them.
Four of the 24 seats are held for elders, with a step-free way in and a ride both ways if they need one.
Nobody pours their own water or wine. You pour for the person next to you.
Every name a guest brings is said out loud at the table, and dinner ends at 7:38 pm.

What to count on

Candles are lit at 4:38 pm.

Hebcal for Santa Monica lists candle-lighting at 4:38 pm on November 6, 18 minutes before sunset, and havdalah at 5:34 pm on November 7. Checked on October 9, 2026.
This is the first Friday after the clocks change.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026,. Hebcal for Santa Monica lists candle-lighting at 5:44 pm on October 30 and 4:38 pm on November 6, 66 minutes earlier. Checked on October 9, 2026.
24 seats, four of them held for elders.

Capacity is set on the invitation. RSVPs close on Tuesday, November 3, and any elder seat not filled by then goes to the waitlist.
We post the numbers after every Friday.

This is the first season. The thank-you on November 8 will report how many came, how many were new, how many arrived after candles, and how many names were said.
The partners named here are examples.

The bakery, wine shop, seniors' group and host family in the guest and partner briefings are illustrative until a real partner applies and is approved.

Press

Awaiting approval

Santa Monica Shabbat dinner holds seats for elders on the first Friday of early dark

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 30, 2026

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

Friday 4 of 10

Come to Friday 4, Nov 6.

Candles at 4:38 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 Nov 6 Or partner this Friday