FOR FAMILIES OF BAR/BAT MITZVAH STUDENTS

What a wonderful and joyous family celebration you are about to have!

The “Oneg Shabbat” is a gathering of family, friends, visitors and Temple members, immediately following Friday night services. Sweet cakes, fruits, drinks, and conversation make a lovely beginning to a joyous celebration! Traditionally, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family (or their friends) sponsors the Oneg Shabbat, although this is not a requirement.

Please inform the Temple office (302-764-2393) of your intention to sponsor the Friday night Oneg Shabbat as soon as possible, but definitely not later than 8 weeks prior to the event. If you do not plan to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat, please inform the Temple office of this fact as soon as possible.

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is required to sponsor the Kiddush on Saturday, immediately following the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. As with the Oneg Shabbat, you may prepare or purchase the food and supplies yourself, or you may hire an outside caterer to prepare everything for you.

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING THE ONEG SHABBAT 

 

If you choose to sponsor the Oneg, the following items are required:

 

·        Challah

·        Wine – MUST BE WHITE

·        16 tea bags and 1 cut up lemon

·        1 lb decaf coffee

·        Cold drinks and 7 oz. Paper or plastic cups.  You will need approximately 8 2-liter bottles of soda, or the equivalent in punch/ice tea, or any combination of these.

·        Cream or milk

·        Round 18” doilies and oblong 9” x 14” doilies for trays (you may use Sisterhood’s trays)

·        Napkins

·        Tablecloth liners – 5 plastic rectangular shaped (96” Table).  Sisterhood will lend our lace tablecloths, as long as they remain in the building.  You will also need 3 round table cloths to fit a 72” round table.

 

Any items you select beyond this are fine, just remember not to mix meat and milk.  Some favorites are cookies, pastries, petit fours, pound cake, pretzels, M&Ms, nuts and fruit.

 

When ordering or baking, plan for at least 175 people.  If there is a special event or service that evening, you may need to plan for more than 175.  Please allow approximately 2 pieces of dessert per person.  Always check with the front office to see if there is a special event planned or if it is a holiday weekend.  Do not order more than 500 pieces of dessert unless there is a special event.

           

 

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING THE KIDDUSH

 

It is the responsibility of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family to provide a Kiddush following Shabbat morning services at Congregation Beth Emeth.  This is a way to allow congregants, as well as family and friends, to celebrate the simcha together.

 

The Kiddush may be very simple, or you may choose to prepare it more elaborately.  This is up to the family.

 

For a basic Kiddush (40 congregants plus your guests), you will need to provide:

 

·        Challah

·        Wine – MUST BE WHITE

·        Grape juice – MUST BE WHITE

·        Small plastic 1 oz cups for wine and grape juice

·        Small napkins

·        Cake, cookies and fruit (all are not necessary)

(estimate 2-3 pieces per person)

·        Cold drinks and 7 oz. Paper or plastic cups.  You will need 2-liter bottles of soda, or the equivalent in punch/ice tea, or any combination of these.  You can figure 7-8 servings per 2 liter bottle.

·        1 Tablecloth – please replace the liner on the beverage table

·        7 ounce beverage glasses (40 congregants plus your guests)

 

These are the essential items.  Add anything else you wish to have and adjust the numbers according to the number of people expected.  In addition to your guests, you can usually expect approximately 20-30 congregants.

 

You will need to designate a family member or friend to prepare the platters of cake and put out the napkins and cups. The custodians will only pour the grape juice and wine before the Kiddush.

 

If you have any questions about preparing your Oneg Shabbat or Kiddush, please contact Rabbi Grumbacher at 302-764-2393.