Welcome to Williamsburg, VA, known worldwide for its preservation and interpretation of the nation's founding.

Frequent Asked Questions:

Q: Are there Minyanim in the Williamsburg area?
A: Chabad Williamsburg occasionally hosts weekday Minyanim, especially during peak travel periods such as Chol Hamoed, Yeshivah Week, and the two weeks following Tisha B’Av.

  • In previous years, we’ve had enough visitors after Tisha B’Av to hold up to three daily Minyanim (excluding Shabbat).
  • To stay informed and help us coordinate Minyanim, we encourage you to join the Williamsburg Minyan & Updates WhatsApp groups.
  • Please note: Minyanim are only confirmed once 10 men have committed via the WhatsApp group. Chabad cannot guarantee a Minyan otherwise.
  • Shabbat: Historically, we have not had Minyanim on Shabbat from tourists, as most local hotels are not within walking distance of the Chabad House.

Throughout the year:

  • Chabad facilitates Shabbas morning services at the "Chabad House" but not always is there a Minyan.
  • Williamsburg does not currently have a daily Minyan.
  • The nearest confirmed daily Minyan is about an hour each way from Williamsburg.

Q: What other places nearby have confirmed Minyan throughout the year?
A: 2 cities - both are 1 hour drive from Williamsburg.

Norfolk VA: (2 locations)

Bnai Israel -  420 Spotswood Ave. Norfolk

Shachris - Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 AM
Monday & Thursday: 6:45 
Mincha & Maariv and for more info, click HERE

Yeshivas Aish Kodesh -  612 Colonial Ave Norfolk, VA 23507 Shacharis 7:45 

Mincha & Maariv and for more info, click HERE

Richmond VA: (1 location)

Knesset Beth Israel (KBI) -  6300 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23226

Shacharis (weekday): 6:30 AM
Mincha & Maariv and for more info, click HERE

Q. Where would Chabad recommend to stay:
A. We have heard great reviews for the  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Williamsburg.

  • This hotel offers excellent amenities for families, including fun arcades for children, a fitness room, and a swimming pool.
  • Conveniently located near Busch Gardens.
  • Take advantage of the well-lit outdoor area for evening BBQs in the parking vicinity.
  • Please note: this hotel is over an hour walk to the Chabad House.

If you are looking for a resort style accommodation with a kitchen in the room, many frum tourists have recommended:

Q.  What to do in Williamsburg, VA?
A. We are thrilled you asked, here are a few suggestions:

Q. Is ther a list of Pas Yisrael breads I can shop in the area?
A. Yes! Click here for a list compiled by Rabbi Yehuda Brickman with the Norfolk Kollel.

Q. Is ther a Kosher Restaurant/take out in the area?
A. Yes! (you must call to make sure they are opened)

      1. In Williamsburg: 
The Kosher deli in town is called Fran's Kosher Deli, located in the Marketplace Dining at the Campus Center William & Mary
104 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours of operation: Mon-Thurs. 8 AM to 3PM. Fri & Sunday 8 AM to 2PM
This Restaurant serves dairy and meat (In two separate kitchens) and is under the supervision of the   Vaad of Tidewater here is a copy of their Kosher certification.
Please note:
They are only opened during the college semester.
Additionally, you can order food for Shabbas (with optional delivery) by calling Meredith directly at 757-561-7512

      2. In Norfolk, VA (one hour from Williamsburg):
Charlie's Middle Eastern, a glatt kosher Restaurant that has recently opened in Norfolk come under the Vaad of Tidewater.
Website: charliesmiddleeastern.com 
Located at 1800 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23517
Hours of operation: 
Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

      3. In Richmond, VA. (one hour from Williamsburg):
Kosher pops dairy is the Kosher Cholov Yisrael (only the Pizza is Cholov Yisrael) Pizza place located at 210 Giant Dr, Richmond, VA 23224 and opens 4:00PM daily.
See their full menu and website at https://popsrva.com/bar-grill-2/
Kosher pops dairy is under the supervision of the Vaad Hakashrut of Richmond.

Alternatively, there are several supermarkets in Williamsburg that carry Kosher products and have a Kosher section.

  • Aldi - Carries some Kosher essential items.
  • Food Lion- Has a small Kosher section as well as Kosher essentials.
  • Harris Teeter - Has a small Kosher section as well as Kosher essentials.
  • Trader Joe's- at times carry kosher chicken & meat (Empire). See the list of updated Kosher items here.
  • Currently, there is no Chalav Yisrael Milk in Williamsburg but periodically the Food lion in Virginia Beach will carry.
  • Krispy Kreme Newport news (a 25 Minute drive from Williamsburg) is a doughnut place under the  Vaad of Tidewater (Not Cholov Yisrael)

Chabad Williamsburg does not have a catering option at the moment.

The Jewish community in Norfolk put together a resource file with kosher options in the area (please note that the dairy is not Cholov Yisrael).

Q. Is there a Mikvah in the area?
A. Chabad plans to build a Mikvah in the future, contact us to be a part of this big project. 

Closest Mikvahs are approximately one hour from Williamsburg.

  • Norfolk  -  B'nai Israel
  • Henrico  -  Chabad of Richmond
  • Richmond  -  KBI (Search for KBI Tish Marmorstein ע"ה Mikvah at the Sharon Jaffa Women’s Community Center)

Q. If I bring my own grill, is there a place we can grill?
A. Yes! In the past, the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg has kindly allowed us to use their well-lit parking lot for grilling.
Additionally, the Hilton Garden Inn Powhatan offers comfortable accommodations and a spacious area.

Q. Is there a WhatsApp group I can join with frum visitors?
A. Yes. Receive the link by signing up here.

Q. Do you have any tips for our vacation?
A. Yes! Read this fascinating article by Dan's Deals.

Q: Where is the Chabad House located?
A: We are located near Jamestown Road, close to the College of William & Mary.

  • For safety reasons, we do not post the exact address online. If you’re planning a visit, please give us a call.

Q. Was this web-page helpful?
A. Chabad Williamsburg is supported by donations from our friends and visitors.   Your support and friendship will ensure the continued success and activities of Chabad Williamsburg, VA - Serving the "Historic Triangle."
Please Donate HERE.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

Save yourself time, energy, and money!

If you exceed a speed of 85 mph in Virginia, you can be charged with reckless driving. It is also considered reckless driving to exceed the speed limit by 20 MPH. Therefore, if you are driving 75 mph in a 55 mph speed zone, you may be charged with reckless driving.

In Virginia, reckless driving is considered a serious criminal offense. As a class 1 misdemeanor, a conviction of this will leave you with a permanent criminal record. The penalties for reckless driving speeding in Virginia include: 

court costs and fines.

time in jail.

a suspension of your driver's license.

a significant increase in your insurance rates. 

If you are charged with driving at a 90 mph or above speed, you may receive 2 days in jail for every mph over 90 that you were driving. If you exceed a speed of 100 mph, then you may get as many as 30 days in jail added to the previous total.

Q. Do you have a recommendation for an attorney who can help us with a speeding violation in Virginia?
A. Yes! We highly recommend Mr. Jeff Brooks at PBP Attorneys.
He has assisted many members of the Jewish community in similar situations.
You can reach him at 757-552-6053 — be sure to ask for Jeff. (Mention that Chabad Williamsburg recommended you)

Feel free to reach out with any other questions.

Wishing you a safe trip.

We look forward to greeting you!

Rabbi Mendy & Esther Heber