Shabbat Invitations

Shabbat dinner is one of the most meaningful gatherings you can host, and getting everyone to the table starts with the invite. Browse Evite's Shabbat Invitations, customize your design, and send to family and friends via text, email, or link.

Shabbat (also spelled Shabbos) is the Jewish day of rest; it is one of the most well-known Jewish practices. People observe it from sundown on Friday through nightfall on Saturday.

Each week, it offers a break from work for 24 hours. People mark it by lighting candles and reciting blessings over Kiddush (wine) and challah (bread). People share a meal and spend time with family and friends.

The Friday night Shabbat dinner is important to many Jewish families. Hosting Shabbat dinner is a mitzvah (a good deed and commandment). Inviting guests, especially those with nowhere else to go, is an act of hospitality rooted in Jewish tradition.

Shabbat dinner attendees may represent every degree of observance and background. Whether your table is traditional or more secular, a Shabbat invitation sets the tone. Come as you are, the meal is ready, and there's always room for one more.

A Shabbat invitation is warmer and more personal in tone than most event invitations; the occasion calls for it. Here's what to include:

• Host name or family name. Lead with who is welcoming guests: “The [Name] family invites you” or “Join us for Shabbat dinner.” Put the host name below.
• Date and candle lighting time. Shabbat begins at sundown. Plan your arrival time around candle lighting time, which changes by location and season. Note whether guests should arrive before or after candle lighting.
• Location. Full home address; add any parking notes if needed.
• What to expect. A brief note about the evening’s format helps guests feel prepared. Traditional blessings may come first, followed by dinner. Or it may be a more casual gathering, or something in between.
• Dietary information. If your home is kosher, say so. Guests will want to know before they plan what to bring. If it's a kosher-style or non-kosher table, a brief note removes any guesswork.
• RSVP request. People plan Shabbat meals around a headcount. A clear RSVP request with a deadline a few days before Friday makes shopping and cooking easier.

A warm closing goes a long way. "Shabbat Shalom—we can't wait to have you at our table" fits the occasion.

Receiving an invitation to someone’s Shabbat table is a real honor. You may bring something thoughtful to show your thanks. A few guidelines:

• Wine or grape juice. A bottle of wine (or grape juice, for a kosher or family-friendly table) is the most traditional Shabbat host gift. If the host keeps kosher, bring kosher-certified wine; when in doubt, ask or check the label for a kosher certification symbol (a hechsher).
• Challah. A braided challah loaf makes a meaningful and practical gift because people use it in the Friday night blessing. Many bakeries carry challah on Fridays; Jewish delis and grocery stores with a Judaica section are reliable sources.
• Flowers or a candle. A simple bouquet or a decorative Shabbat candle set is a warm, non-food gift. Choose unscented candles if the host prefers. This is a good choice if you are unsure about the host’s kosher status.
• Dessert. If you've asked ahead and the host welcomes a dessert contribution, a store-bought or homemade sweet is a lovely addition. For a kosher table: confirm if the home is dairy or meat before you bring dessert. A traditional kosher meal cannot serve dairy and meat together.

When in doubt, a bottle of kosher wine and a challah covers you in almost any Shabbat situation.

Creating a Shabbat dinner Invitation on Evite is straightforward. Browse the Shabbat Invitations gallery and choose a design that fits your gathering’s tone. Choose what matches how formal or relaxed your table feels.

Pick between free and Premium options. Premium unlocks custom backgrounds, envelopes, stamps, and animated effects.

Fill in your event details. Add the host name, date, and arrival time relative to candle lighting. Include the address and any notes on the evening’s format or dietary observance. Use Evite's event sign-up feature to coordinate contributions—wine, challah, dessert—without a single back-and-forth text.

Add your guests by phone number or email, or generate a shareable link. Your Evite dashboard tracks RSVPs in real time and sends automated reminders to guests. It also lets you message the full guest list. This gives you a firm headcount well before Friday afternoon.

Ready to set the table? Browse Evite's digital Shabbat Invitations and send yours today. For casual Shabbat get-togethers and small dinners, Event Pages offers an easy way to coordinate with your crew. For more hosting ideas for all types of gatherings, visit the Evite blog.