GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING SHABBAT MORNING KIDDUSH

Thank you very much for volunteering to host Kiddush for our community. If you are sponsoring in honor of a simcha, mazal tov. If it is "just because", mazal tov also – for doing a mitzvah.

You are invited to say Kiddush, and/or HaMotzi. If you prefer not or would like help, Rabbi Steve would be happy to say the blessings or join you in saying them.

Some General Guidelines

While we want Kiddush to be nice, the food and drink tasty and sufficient, we do not want to get into a mode of "overly elaborate" and/or competing with one another for who can do the most.

So that all may eat with us and to maintain the tradition, we ask that you do not serve food using any meat products. We ask that all food and drink be vegetarian or dairy. We do not require that the food be labeled kosher, but please be sure that anything you make or buy uses only vegetable shortening, margarine, or butter. It would be helpful as well to label ingredients for homemade items and display ingredients from original packaging for purchased items so that people with food allergies or those observing stricter kashrut may know what is in the foods.

Agnon-College of Jewish Studies policy requires that there be no red wine or purple grape juice, no coffee or tea, colas, dark sodas or other dark juices. The Kiddush must use white wine and white or golden grape juice to avoid carpet stains.

What We Provide

Kol HaLev has a supply of the following:

  • paper plates of various sizes
  • napkins
  • 1 ounce cups for wine
  • cups for other beverages
  • tablecloths
  • serving platters
  • challah cover

These items are kept in the black cabinet in the sanctuary. Inside the cabinet door is a list showing the location of all the items. The key to open the bottom drawers is kept on the top left corner of the top shelf.

What You Should Bring

  • Kiddush cup, if you have one
  • White wine (1.5 liters = two regular 750 ml bottles)
  • White or golden grape juice for those who don't drink wine
  • Two average challahs. Leave one whole (unsliced) for HaMotzi
  • Food for 60-80 (one or two of the following items)
            - vegetables and hummus     -  bagels and spreads
            -  baked goods                   -  fruit
    If this is a special occasion, please feel free to supplement this food list, but Kiddush is not meant to be lunch
  • Beverages if you desire, e.g., apple juice/cider, soda (no dark colors), lemonade
  • Knives as needed for cutting

Set Up and Clean Up Procedures

Come at least 20 minutes before the service so you have time to set up. Feel free to ask for help to set-up the tables and food. You will want to get items from the black cabinet in the sanctuary before the service begins at 10:30 am. If you want to attend Torah study, which begins at 9:45, you can get into Agnon to set up by 9:15.

You will find many of the items you need in the black cabinet in the sanctuary. Contents are listed on the inside of the door.

Set two tables for Kiddush in large hallway and cover with tablecloths. Put whole challah on platter with challah cover. Fill Kiddush cup with wine. Pour about 30 small cups of wine and 30 cups of grape juice and put them on separate trays to be passed around just before Kiddush. (At the end of the service you can fill more cups as needed.)

Arrange the food and drink on the tables to be eaten after the Service.

After the Kiddush return items to proper shelf in the black cabinet. Wipe tablecloths and platters so they are ready to be re-used. Be sure to lock the bottom drawers and return the key to the top shelf so the next Kiddush sponsor will be able to find it.

Take all leftover food and drinks back home. Don't leave any at Agnon. Also check the child care area to be sure there is no food there and it has been cleaned up.

Some Final Notes
  • The quantities suggested above are for an average service.
  • If you have any questions, please e-mail or call the Kiddush coordinators (see info below).
  • Kiddush and the Oneg Shabbat are supposed to be festive and joyful. Feel free to ask anyone around to help so you can enjoy the oneg, too.

Thanks again and Shabbat Shalom u’mvorach.

Sharon Agopian and Leah Kamionkowski  Kiddush Coordinators

As of September 23, 2007

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