Outline of the procedure for a kiddush in which the sponsors will be purchasing the food themselves.
Now here is what you need to know if you are sponsoring a Kehillat Shaarei Torah kiddush…
The Orthodox integrity of the synagogue is the rationale behind all guidelines outlined in this information sheet.
The policy of the shul is that all food served at the shul must have approved Kashrut certification. Please check with the office administrator which certifications are approved by Kehillat Shaarei Torah
It is the custom of our shul to include everyone present at shul in the Kiddush after the service.
Bookings
Call the office administrator to ascertain whether the Shabbat or Yom Tov date on which you want to sponsor the kiddush is available.
Please note that the date is not secured until the contract has been signed and the deposit paid.
Food
Please remember all food and drinks brought in from all suppliers must
· have an approved Kosher symbol
· be sealed by the supplier
· be checked by the inhouse mashgiach the morning before the kiddush. There will be an additional cost for this service.
A list of the food to be served should be given to the office administrator
If you are serving bread or pita, you are asked to have uncut rolls for motzi
The shul will provide pop, coffee, tea, sugar, creamer, plates, cups, cutlery and tablecloths as well as the clean up after the kiddush. $100.00 will be charged to cover the cost of this service. A tax receipt will be issued.
A Mashgiach
If waitstaff has been hired, a mashgiach must be in attendance until the last staff member has left the shul premises.
You may use the inhouse mashgiach at an additional cost, or obtain a mashgiach by calling COR at (416) 635 9550. If you use another mashgiach, he should be booked well in advance and the shul office should be given his name three months before the function.
Tablecloths
Unless you make other arrangements, the shul's white tablecloths will be used.
Waitresses
Please hire an appropriate number of waitstaff if you are inviting more than 50 guests.
Kitchens
The main kitchen is a meat or pareve kitchen. The shul has enough meat dishes to serve around 100 people. You are welcome to use these dishes, but the hired staff should wash, dry and put them away after use. The shul also has several meat platters and salad bowls. You can request an inventory of the serving pieces from the shul office.
The main kitchen has two fridges, a freezer and a warmer. Should you wish to use the warmer, it should be switched on before Shabbat/Yom Tov and cannot be switched off until after Shabbat/Yom Tov.
The dishwashing machine may be used on Shabbat and Yom Tov, if the non-Jewish staff has been instructed to do so before Shabbat/Yom Tov.
We have a very small dairy kitchen. Since the shul does not have dairy dishes, platters or servers, the sponsor(or supplier) should provide disposable items. All food for a dairy meal should be stored in and served from the dairy kitchen.
This kitchen is equipped with a fridge.
All tables should be covered before using them for dairy foods.
Deliveries
must be made during office hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 1:30pm
Since there is no one on hand to unpack deliveries, please be available to do this.
Please note - Nothing can be delivered to or removed from the shul premises until after Shabbat or Yom Tov.
Centrepieces Potted plants may not be used on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Cut flowers in vases may be used. Balloon centerpieces cannot be used as the children in the shul often dismantle them. They also pose a choking threat to small children.
A very gracious alternative is to use a simcha basket. For information about charities that arrange these centerpieces, please phone the Jewish Women¹s Federation. (416) 635 2883 ext 135
Decorations that adhere to the wall cannot be permitted as they cause damage when removed.
Please note that the silk flower arrangements in the sanctuary cannot be moved, even temporarily. If you wish, cut flowers may be displayed in the sanctuary on stands in front of the bimah.
Candy Throwing The shul allows candy to be thrown by the women only during Bar/Bat Mitzvas and Aufrufs. Candies thrown by boys have caused injuries in the past. Please ensure that the candies are soft, wrapped, pareve and marked with an approved Kosher symbol.
Shabbat Bulletin The names of those sponsoring the Shabbat and Yom Tov kiddushes are published in the Shabbat Bulletin. Please fax the exact wording that you would like to appear in the bulletin to the office administrator, no later than a week before the kiddush.
Simcha Sharing Occasionally two or more members wish to share a kiddush. In this case, it is the responsibility of the parties involved to make all decisions jointly. The office cannot play middleman.
Thank you for sponsoring a kiddush at our shul. We appreciate it.
Mazel Tov
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