SOAL Hosts

At Shabbat of a Lifetime, our hosts are the heartbeat of your experience. They open their homes and hearts to welcome you into their Shabbat tradition, creating a warm and unforgettable family atmosphere. With their genuine hospitality and love, they transform a meal into a cherished memory. Join us, and let our hosts make your Shabbat truly special.

The Levy's

Sarah and Steven made Aliyah to Jerusalem  from Atlanta 7 years ago. They have five daughters ranging in age from 10 to 18. Steven is an attorney who works in real estate, and Sarah is a neuropsychologist, working in private practice here in Jerusalem. Steven was raised in Gainesville, FL and became observant in his late 20s, while Sarah was raised as an FFB in Brooklyn, NY. They are both passionate about the Jewish tradition and living in Israel and have a book called "The JPS Rashi Discussion Torah Commentary" (JPS 2018). They also have a weekly video series based on the book called "Thought for Food" on Youtube. 

The Schicks

Dr. Ari Schick is a postdoctoral fellow at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University specializing in Bioethics. Shana grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey, spent five years studying Talmud full-time at Stern College’s Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies, and received a BA, MA and a PhD in Talmud from Yeshiva University. She teaches in learning institutions and midrashot in both Israel and abroad.

The Bells

Avi is a well renowned international legal expert holding senior teaching positions at top US and Israeli law schools, currently at Bar Ilan Law and Harvard Law, while Rachelle is the Director of the Israel Government Fellows Program for the past few years after previously serving as Director of BIO972, a science and business community.  Avi recently was invited to discuss constitutional aspects of judicial independence on a government panel including former Presidents of the Supreme Court of Israel. The Bells live in a lovely apartment in David's Village together with their dog, Sadie. 

The Lewis

David and Rena both grew up and made Aliyah from NY, David from Ithaca, and Rena from Monsey. David came with his family over 30 years ago, Rena came single 20 years ago - met in Jerusalem, and the rest, as they say, is history. David is the CEO of a company that develops inspection tools for screens - he works mainly with companies that are developing VR systems. He loves talking to people and hearing about what they do and what interests them. He is also uproariously funny. Rena dabbles in video and text editing. She loves meeting, talking to, and getting to know new people

The Stiefels

Shany and Harold grew up in New York and in New Jersey respectively. Shany has a degree in early childhood education and is pursuing a birthing coach certificate.Harold owns a business that sells chemicals that purify drinking water. The Steifels have 5 children- 7 counting sons-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, some of whom will be joining them for dinner. The Stiefels are really lovely hosts :-)

The Powers

Both Benny and Rachel grew up in Canada- Benny in Toronto and Rachel in Winnipeg. Each of them did a year of university studies (Benny- neuroscience and Rachel- creative writing), then came to Israel. Benny went to Aish HaTorah for 7 years (the last 2 part time as he did the tour guide course at Lander), and Rachel went to Midreshet Tehillah, Shearim, ulpan, and Michlala Charedit. As Rachel was finishing her degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, they met, dated, and got married. They have 2 girls, one is three and the other turns two right before Chanukka.