FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
(Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Yisroel here if you have any other questions not addressed here or to clarify any matters)
List of questions:
- What is Chabad?
- Are Chabad programs exclusively for Orthodox Jews?
- Is Chabad S. Pedro funded by its headquarters in New York?
- Where is your Shul/synagogue located?
- What services and programs do you offer?
- Do you provide hospital visitation services?
- Do you offer prison visitation services for the nearby Terminal Island Correctional Facility?
- Is there kosher food in San Pedro?
- Where can I daven with a Minyan on weekdays and Shabbos?
- Where should I stay if I want to be within walking distance of the Chabad House for Shabbos?
- I'm considering relocating to San Pedro; what do I need to know?
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Q: What is Chabad?
A: A philosophy, a movement, and an organization. It is widely considered to be the most dynamic force in Jewish life today, with over:
3,500 centers in 100 countries are dedicated to the Jewish people's welfare worldwide.
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Q: Are Chabad programs exclusively for Orthodox Jews?
A: Chabad is inclusive and non-judgmental, and our programs are open to all Jews. In fact, the majority of people who participate in programs at Chabad are not Orthodox. Chabad avoids labeling since it tends to divide and create barriers between us. The teachings of Chabad are imbued with the renowned Chassidic spirit and joy, but in no way is the commitment to an Orthodox lifestyle a prerequisite to one's acceptance at Chabad functions.
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Q: Is Chabad S. Pedro funded by its headquarters in New York?
A: It is Chabad’s policy that each center is supported by the community it serves. All funding for local Chabad programs is solicited locally. No funds are received from the Chabad Central Office, nor are any locally raised funds sent to the Chabad Central Office in New York. All funds donated remain right here in our community.
- Q: Where is your Shul/synagogue located?
A: As of December 2024 we have secured a commercial space that will host the majority of our activities, services and so on. The Center is located @ 817 W 9th St, San Pedro, CA 90731.
- Q: What services and programs do you offer?
A: We offer many programs and services, including:
- Classes are held twice a week, the first on Zoom (read here) and the second on Shabbat mornings (followed by a few select prayers and a Kiddush luncheon. Read more here).
- Shabbat Community Dinners are held periodically to celebrate Shabbat together, sing, savor delicious Shabbat foods, and enjoy each other's company.
- Shabbat meals at the Rabbi & Rebbetzin's house.
- Holiday programs for all Jewish Holidays, including the grand Chanukah celebration, Passover seder, etc.
- One-on-one learning with the Rabbi.
- Women's Jewish Circle: events and programs are held every so often, specifically for the women in the community.
- Youth programs/Hebrew School: As more young families join the community, and once we have our own Shul/Synagogue space, we hope to launch programs for youth.
- Services/Prayers/Minyanim: Services are mainly held around the holidays. We will launch more frequent services once we have our own Shul/Synagogue space.
And much more!
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Q: Do you provide hospital visitation services?
A: Yes. The Rabbi visits patients at the local Providence Hospital and is happy to visit you and assist you during your stay there. Please get in touch with us here to request a visit and help.
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Q: Do you offer prison visitation services for the nearby Terminal Island Correctional Facility?
A: A different Rabbi services this prison. Please reach out to us here to connect you to the right person.
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Q: Is there kosher food in San Pedro?
A:
(This section deals with in-store shopping. For deliveries scroll down for the relevant info)
- Groceries: While the closest* Kosher Groceries/Supermarkets are mainly located in LA* (Pico-Robertson and Fairfax areas), the Valley, as well as smaller kosher shops in Santa Monica and Orange County, there are limited products with a kosher certification that you can get locally, mainly in Trader Joe's, such as Pas Yisroel Bagels & Baggetues, Challah, Cholov Yisroel feta cheese, Kosher wine, Kosher snacks, frozen latkes, babka etc. (readers note: they also have Empire Kosher Chicken and Turkey Breast and Ground and Teva Glatt Red Meat. If they don't have what you want in stock, they will order it for you.) Other things can be found in the major supermarkets (Vons (excluding the Gaffey St location), Smart and Final, Ralphs & Albertsons), where they have a small kosher section with some non-perishable products, instant soups, grape juice, etc.
If you drive from San Pedro to Whole Foods Market (about a 15-20 minute drive), you can get some Pas Yisroel bread and plant-based frozen food such as plant based chicken nuggets etc.
Another option if you are willing to drive out a bit is a specific Smart & Final location in Long Beach (about 20 min drive without traffic), which has a more extensive but relatively small refrigerated kosher section with Cholov Yisroel milk, cheese, yogurts, and other dairy items, as well as hot dogs, cold cuts, and a few frozen items such as pizza, etc. As it is a relatively small section, some things tend to run out from time to time.
- Trader Joe's Address: 28901 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
- Whole Foods Market Address: 2655 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505
- Smart & Final in Long Beach with a more extensive kosher section: 4480 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
- Supermarkets with minimal kosher sections:
1) Vons: 1440 W 25th St, San Pedro, CA 90732
2) Smart & Final: 1636 W 25th St, San Pedro, CA 90732
3) Ralph's: 1050 N Western Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732
4) Albertsons: 28090 S Western Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732
- Eateries/Restaurants:
The closest* Kosher eateries are located in LA, where there are many options for kosher dining, with a few options in other areas such as Orange County & Santa Monica.
* Bear in mind that traveling from San Pedro to the parts of LA where Kosher groceries & restaurants are located can take anywhere between 40 min to an hour and a half or so, depending on traffic. Plan accordingly.
- Catering/take-out/frozen meals:
Chabad S. Pedro does not offer catering/take-out services. However, there are many options in LA, including the option below.
Emuna Inc. is a catering/take-out certified by the OU, which is located in Hawthorne (a bit closer than LA) and where you can get take-out, Shabbos food, frozen/travel meals as well as grab their ready grab-n-go meals at Manhattan Beach & Signal Hill (Long Beach area) supermarkets. Please visit their website here to get the relevant and updated information.
- Deliveries from Kosher groceries and eateries to San Pedro:
Due to the distance between San Pedro and the kosher restaurants and groceries in LA & Orange County, you cannot get delivery directly from the restaurant or apps such as Uber Eats. One option to get food delivered to San Pedro: Order from the restaurant or grocery for pickup and then head to the Uber app to use their Uber Package option and request a driver pick up your food and deliver it to you. You will then have to notify the grocery or eatery of this arrangement to ensure they hand over your items to the Uber driver. The delivery cost is usually about $40 from the Pico Robertson area to San Pedro.
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UPDATE 4/2/24: INSTACART STARTED OFFERING DELIVERIES FROM 2 KOSHER GROCERIES (click on the names to be taken to their Instacart store):
1) WESTERN KOSHER. 2) LIVONIA GLATT MARKET.
While there is a markup on the items compared to buying in store (as is the case with many stores on Instacart) , and there are associated fees such as the long distance fee, this is the easiest option at the moment for buying kosher food from LA without schlepping there.
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- Locals:
If you are interested in purchasing items from Kosher Grocery stores in LA, please inform us in advance so that we can try our best to accommodate your request during our next visit to LA. Please note that we visit LA infrequently, usually once a month or every two months.
- Q: Where can I daven with a Minyan on weekdays and Shabbos?
A: Congregation Lubavitch in Long Beach is the closest Shul (about a 20-minute drive without traffic)with set minyanim throughout the week (2 Shacharis Minyanim & Mincha/Maariv) & Shabbos. Click here to visit their website and contact them for exact times and other info.
A 2nd option is the Chabad of the Beach Cities in Redondo Beach, which has Shabbos minyanim & usually also Shacharis/Mincha/Maariv throughout the week. Click here to visit their website.
Other Shuls in the area with more limited services:
1) Chabad of the South Bay in Lomita: click here to visit their website.
Some Shacharis Minyanim throughout the week, as well as Shabbos
2) Chabad of Palos Verdes: click here to visit their website.
Shabbos & Sunday minyanim.
- Q: Where should I stay if I want to be within walking distance of the Chabad House for Shabbos?
A: There are two brand name/chain hotels in San Pedro. 1) The Crowne Plaza in Downtown San Pedro is about a 35-minute walk from our current location. 2) The DoubleTree by Hilton overlooking the Marina is about a 45-minute walk.
You can also check out the Americas Best Value Inn - Rancho Palos Verdes, which is about a 40-minute walk.
There are other small hotels/inns that we are not familiar with. You can do your research.
There are also some AirBnB's that might be a good fit. Before booking, ask them for the approximate location/intersection so we can provide you with the estimated walking time to our location.
- Q: I'm considering relocating to San Pedro; what do I need to know?
A: That's great! The Rabbi will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Contact here.