Gathering Together: Your Jewish Guide to J Street’s 2026 Fall Leadership Summit
Shabbat at Summit
J Street’s Leadership Summit officially begins Saturday evening, after the conclusion of Shabbat, with optional canvassing or touring available on Saturday during the day.
We recognize that some Summit attendees are Shomer Shabbat and may choose to arrive in Atlanta for Shabbat in order to be present for Welcome Happy Hour. While we do not have official Shabbat programming at the hotel on Friday night or Saturday, we are very happy to help coordinate Shabbat plans.
Shabbat Dinner and Services with Nearby Jewish Communities:
Not all synagogues are within walking distance of The Epicurean Atlanta hotel. If you need walking distance Shabbat hospitality please reach out to Emily Kaiman, Director of Jewish Communal Engagement [email protected]
- Congregation Shearith Israel – 1180 University Dr NE, (Conservative, 15-minute drive)
- 6pm Friday musical services with Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet Members, Rabbis Ari Kaiman and Ariel Root Wolpe
- 7:30pm Friday Shabbat Dinner at the home of Rabbi Ari and Emily Kaiman – Please RSVP for Shabbat dinner here.
- 9:00am Saturday morning services, followed by Kiddush lunch
- The Temple – 1589 Peachtree St NE, (Reform, 23-minute walk)
- 6pm Friday services
- 10am Saturday morning services
- Congregation Ohr HaTorah – 2056 Lavista Rd (Modern Orthodox, 18-minute drive)
- Friday mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat – check website for time
- 7:15am, or 9:00am Saturday morning services (no lunch provided)
Atlanta is also home to Piedmont Park and The Beltline, which are only a 13-15 minute walk from the hotel. A Shabbat walk in the park or along The Beltline can be a beautiful way to spend the day
Food & Kashrut
All J Street communal meals are kosher-style but not certified kosher.
What this means:
- No pork, shellfish, or non-kosher types of meat
- No mixing of meat and dairy at the same meal
- Meat served is not hekshered (certified kosher)
- Vegetarian or vegan options will be available at every meal
Pre-wrapped, certified kosher meals will be available at each meal in the same dining area as our communal dining, on a clearly labeled, separate table. A J Street staff member will be nearby to assist and help ensure these meals are easily accessible to those who need them.
If you require a certified kosher meal and are unsure whether you selected this option during registration, please contact Emily Kaiman, [email protected].
Daily Prayer Services & Kaddish
While we do not offer daily minyan at the Leadership Summit, J Street strives to ensure we meet everyone’s religious needs.
If you are mourning or observing a yahrzeit and would like to ensure a minyan for Kaddish, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. Contact Emily Kaiman, [email protected]