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BK Kiddush Guidelines

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT EXACTLY IS A “KIDDUSH”?

Kiddush (Hebrew: שודיק, literally, "sanctification") is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat or a Jewish holiday.

 

Kiddush is worth 16 points in Scrabble, and 16 points in Words with Friends

 

This Kiddush is not recited during the synagogue service but in many synagogues a small celebration consisting of cakes and drinks is held over which the day-Kiddush is recited. This small repast came itself to be known as a Kiddush, to which the congregants are invited. For instance, people celebrating a happy event will often take the opportunity to invite their friends and fellow congregants to 'a Kiddush' after the service.

 

Here are some ideas to get you started with your planning for a Kiddush, whether for a Bnai Mitzvah, another simcha, in memory of a loved one, or as an opportunity to thank the BK community – whatever the occasion

WELL, FOR STARTERS, APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND A TYPICAL BK KIDDUSH?

Around 50 people attend an average BK Kiddush when there is not a Bnai Mitzvah

WHAT ARE THE ITEMS THAT I’D NEED TO BUY FOR A BASIC BK KIDDUSH?

There is no set menu for a Kiddush. You are encouraged to use your creativity and to step “outside the box" in planning your Kiddush.

Food for a “basic” kiddush could consist of the following:

• Three dozen sliced bagels (mini bagels seem to work well)

• Assorted cream cheese spreads, butter

• Two lbs. egg salad

• Two lbs. tuna salad

• Platter of sliced tomatoes and onions

• One challah (or more, or larger depending on number of guests)

• Four lbs. cookies, rugelach, or other dessert

• Four pounds grapes or fruit salad

• beverages, other than coffee (which is provided by BK for Shabbat morning Kiddush)

AND WHAT’S THE APPROXIMATE COST TO SPONSOR THE KIDDUSH?

The cost is between $300 and $450.

WHERE SHOULD I BUY EVERYTHING?

There is no “official” BK Kiddush preferred provider. You are welcome to use your favorite bagel shop, caterer, or supermarket.

The following offer nice options and have delivered to BK:

Livingston Bagel/David Z. Caterers
SYLVIA CORLETT
DIRECTOR OF CATERING & SPECIAL EVENTS
37E NORTHFIELD RD
LIVINGSTON, NJ 07039
 

Jerusalem Restaurant
99 West Mount Pleasant Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
Telephone: (973) 533 – 1424

FreshDirect.com

Shoprite of Brookdale
1409 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-338-1433
 

CAN I INVOLVE OTHER BK MEMBERS OR FAMILIES IN THE PLANNING, ORGANIZING, AND PRESENTING OF THE KIDDUSH?

Absolutely! The more the merrier (although, for the sake of keeping the details and logistics organized, we’d recommend that you work with no more than four families per kiddush). Not only can you share the cost, you can also equally divide the nachas. And nachas-dividing is a good thing.

CAN I ORGANIZE A KIDDUSH TO CELEBRATE A PARTICULAR SIMCHA?

Sure! Ideas for celebration-ready simchas can include, but are not limited to, the following:  a birthday, anniversary, birth, academic achievement, college (or grad school) acceptance, engagement, sports victory (little league, travel league, high school, etc.), completion of a marathon, graduation, job hire, job fire (if it’s a job you really hated), recuperation, book publication, t.v. appearance.

WHAT ELEMENTS OF THE KIDDUSH ARE PROVIDED BY BK?

The following elements of a Saturday morning kiddush are provided by BK:

• Tea

• Coffee

• Sugar

• Paper goods (table cloths, plates, napkins, cups) 

• Utensils 

• Wine

• Grape juice

• Ice

BACK TO THE FOOD: IF I WANTED TO GO A LITTLE CRAZY, WHAT ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS?

Creativity is subject to the following:


  • ALL ITEMS MUST BE DAIRY OR PARVE
  • NO MEAT DISHES ARE PERMITTED,OR DISHES THAT HAVE MEAT-INGREDIENTS
  • NO ITEMS WITH NUTS ARE PERMITTED!

Other than these “rules” – make the kiddush your own:  brownies, cannolis, fish platters, veggie platters, humus, pitas, falafel, veggie dips, cheese platters, babka – whatever makes you happy!

I’M THE BEST KUGAL CHEF ON EARTH, OR AT LEAST IN THIS AREA CODE, AND I’D LIKE TO SHARE MY GENIUS WITH THE BK’ERS WHO ATTEND MY KIDDUSH. IS THAT OKAY?

Interesting you should mention that: in our experience, we’ve found that home-made dishes are huge hit with BK kiddush attendees. So if you’d like to wow us with your artistry, please do!

WHEN WOULD I NEED TO HAVE EVERYTHING AT BK FOR MY KIDDUSH?

You food should be in the BK kitchen by 9AM on the morning of your Kiddush and can usually be brought in/delivered on Friday (if there is not a Friday night activity requiring the space).  Please let the BK office know when the goodies are being delivered.

AT WHAT TIME WOULD I BEGIN SETTING UP MY KIDDUSH?

Your set-up process would need to get rolling at 11AM. Set-up includes:

• Opening and arranging tables

• Laying down tablecloths

• Unwrapping and arranging the food

• Arranging the beverages, cups, plates, and utensils

AND AT WHAT TIME WOULD THE ACTUAL KIDDUSH BE HELD?

The kiddush starts after the service and generally lasts until about 1PM or when people are done talking about what a great Kiddush you put on.

ONCE THE KIDDUSH IS OVER, WHAT WOULD I NEED TO DO NEXT?

Helping Debbie with the clean-up process is always appreciated, but your main task would be deciding to do with the leftover food. You’re free to wrap it up and take it home or leave it at BK in the kitchen refrigerator .....

......but our suggestion is to donate it for a worthy recipient. If your intent is to share it with the MESH program, or St. Paul’s Men’s Shelter, organized by Penny Arons.

 

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

If you have any special arrangements that you’d like to make for your kiddush at BK (special seating requirements, additional tables for guests, etc.), coordinate the specifics with Stuart Brown.

OKAY, I’M IN! HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Choose the BK members and/or families with whom you’d like to coordinate your kiddush (if you’d like to have BK members and/or families involved with the planning, organization, and running of your kiddush, that is) then get in touch with Stuart Brown, Director of Congregational Learning. You can look for dates that may be available by checking the BK calendar to see when there is not a Bnai Mitzvah.

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784