Jewish life at Auberge Shalom

Abuse has no place in the Jewish community. While Auberge Shalom is open to all women, it was created over 30 years ago with the unique mandate to serve Jewish women and their children. Today we are the only kosher domestic violence service in Canada. 

What can you expect, as a Jewish woman, when you walk into the shelter or the Harper Counselling Office?

Regardless of where you lie on the religious spectrum, there will always be a Jewish home for you and your children to find safety. Run fully by women, our services adhere to Shomer Shabbat and kosher standards and we provide specialized services for Jewish Orthodox communities.

Gathering for meals provides a special moment of connection, and all meals are prepared by our kosher cooks. The shelter houses two kitchens - one meat and one dairy - where the cooks prepare meals.  There is also a common dairy kitchenette for coffee, tea, and snacks.

Shabbat is observed and celebrated every week, complete with shabbat timers, covers on lights, a festive meal and warm challah every Friday night.  For those who are Jewish, this continuity brings a sense of familiarity and relief. And for the many diverse families represented at Auberge Shalom, we have found more similarities than differences with shared stories of different cultures and histories. 

All Jewish holidays are observed in shelter, from lighting candles on each night of Chanukkah to preparing mishloach manot for children on Purim. We also do a thorough and complete kashering for Passover. 

If you do not need emergency shelter but would like counselling support, learn more about our specialized Orthodox services at The Carole and Andrew Harper Counselling Office.