Outline of the procedure for a kiddush in which the sponsors will be entertaining more than 25 guests in addition to the regular members of the shul.

Now here is what you need to know about Kehillat Shaarei Torah's simcha policies…
It is the custom of our shul to include everyone present at shul in the Kiddush after the service.

The Orthodox integrity of the synagogue is the rationale behind all guidelines outlined in this information sheet. The provisions are not designed to infringe on the rights of members to celebrate their simchas as they wish. To ensure that traditions are properly observed, the Rabbi is happy to meet with and assist families to organize a simcha.
The policy of the shul is that all food served at parties associated with the shul, whether on or off the shul premises, should have an approved Kashrut certification and must be served under the supervision of a mashgiach. If the Kashrut policy is violated or compromised, Kehillat Shaarei Torah reserves the right to cancel the religious ceremony. In this instance, no deposits can be refunded.

Invitations
A copy of the invitation should be given to the rabbi at least six weeks before the occasion and before the invitations are mailed. We suggest you consult with the rabbi before the invitations are printed.

Booking Dates

Bar/ Bat Mitzvas may be booked up to two years in advance

· The date for the simcha is not secured until a signed copy of the contract is received by the shul office.
· Only members in good standing may book a simcha. New members wishing to book a simcha should have paid the first year's membership.
· A reminder checklist will be sent to you two months before the simcha so that you can ensure that all conditions of the contract have been met.

Caterers
Only caterers with a COR certification can be used. You should arrange for the caterer to sign a contract with the shul prior to the function.
** Please note. The shul does not receive a percentage from the caterer.

All other arrangements should be made directly between you and the caterer

The shul office should be apprised of which caterer you are planning to use.
As stipulated in the contract with the caterer, all deliveries should be made before Shabbat or Yom Tov and nothing may be removed from the shul premises until after Shabbat or Yom Tov.

If you are providing your own candies, challa and wine (which should be Mevushal) these should be from an approved COR or OU source.

If you are serving bread or pita, you are asked to have uncut rolls for motzi.
Benchers will be provided by the shul unless you wish to provide your own

A Mashgiach
must be in attendance during the preparation of the food in the shul¹s kitchen before and during the function. He should remain in attendance until the last staff member has left the shul premises.
You may use the inhouse mashgiach or obtain a mashgiach by calling COR at (416) 635 9550. If you are not using the inhouse mashgiach, one should be booked well in advance. The shul office should be given the name of this mashgiach three months before the function.

Staff
should be hired to set out the food, wash the dishes and clean up afterwards. Prior to the event, non-Jewish staff may be instructed to use the dishwasher. It is your responsibility to make sure that the staff know in advance that they cannot bring in or remove anything, including food, from the shul during Shabbat or Yom Tov.

Tables
The shul currently has thirteen round tables which seat 8-10 people and four rectangular tables which may be used as buffet tables. Tablecloths should be provided by the caterer or person organizing the simcha.
Extra tables should be rented if you require them.

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 caterer should bring dairy foods already arranged on platters and also provide the serving utensils. These should be stored in and served from the dairy kitchen. The sponsor (or supplier) should provide disposable paper plates and plastic cutlery. 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.

Cleaners
If your function is on Shabbat, you may fax a floor plan outlining the set up of tables and chairs that you prefer to the office, no later than the Tuesday before Shabbat and the room will be set up accordingly on Thursday evening.
If your simcha is on any other day, you or your caterer is responsible for setting up the room. In order to make sure that there is no conflict with other events taking place in the social hall, you should check with the office administrator before instructing your caterer to set up the room.

Centrepieces
· Potted plants may not be used on Shabbat or Yom Tov.
· Balloon centrepieces cannot be used as they are often dismantled by the children in the shul. They also pose a choking threat to small children
· Cut flowers in vases may be used.
· A very gracious alternative is to use a simcha basket. For information about charities that arrange these centrepieces, please 'phone the Jewish Women's 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 removed, 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 Auf Rufs. Candies thrown by boys have caused injuries in the past. Please ensure that the candies are soft, wrapped, parave and marked with an approved Kosher symbol.

Shabbat Bulletin
The name/s of the family/ies celebrating the simcha are published in the Shabbas 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.

Chupah
The shul has a chupah which you are welcome to use. The responsibility for setting it up, taking it down and putting it away is yours.

Schnapps
If you wish, you may bring a bottle or two of schnapps for your simcha. The rabbi will advise you on the appropriate ones to bring.

Thank you for sharing your simcha with the shul. We appreciate it and rejoice with you.

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