Chabad Lubavitch of the Virgin Islands — Shabbat on Island
St. Thomas, USVI
Cost
Friday night dinner and Shabbat day kiddush: No set charge — the Chabad House does not charge guests; contributions toward the cost of hosting are encouraged
Shabbat on Island is Chabad Lubavitch of the Virgin Islands’ Friday night dinner and Shabbat day service, open to any visitor who reaches out ahead of time. There is no set price and no online booking — contact Rabbi Asher Federman directly with your dates, and the community will plan the week’s davening and meal around who is attending.
How it works
Contact Chabad in advance by phone, WhatsApp or email so they can prepare accordingly — this is not an online-booking system. Depending on the number of people joining that week, Chabad schedules Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat before Friday night dinner, so exact timing varies week to week. Chabad deliberately does not run an online Shabbos menu, and encourages visitors to arrange lodging near the Chabad House to enable a full Shabbos experience without needing a car. That said, if hotel options are limited when you are travelling, Chabad will work with you — catering typically runs off whatever is on the Chabad House’s own menu that week. The Chabad House does not charge for Shabbat hospitality; guests are encouraged, not required, to contribute toward the cost of keeping the Chabad House open for Shabbos.
Times
Friday night — Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat: Timing depends on the week’s attendance and season — confirm with Chabad ahead of Shabbos Friday night — dinner: Following services Shabbat day — Minyan: 10:00 AM, followed by a buffet kiddush
Walking
On the East End near Nazareth and Red Hook, about an eight-minute walk from the Ritz-Carlton and close to the other East End hotels (Secret Harbour, Elysian, Sapphire Beach, Sapphire Village, The Anchorage). There is no eruv on St. Thomas.