Sponsor a Kiddush

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring a Shabbat kiddush lunch at Beth Israel!  Sponsoring kiddush is a wonderful way to honor a special someone or occasion and to support the congregation at the same time. By sponsoring a kiddush, you are both covering some costs of the food, supplies, and service provided on your special day and supporting this important aspect of our congregational life. 

We also welcome sponsorships for Festival kiddushim — Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Pesach and Shavuot. If you’d like to contribute $36 or more to co-sponsor one of these holiday kiddushim, please contact the office.

To find open dates to sponsor a Shabbat kiddush, contact the office.  

Once you've decided on the date, we'll work out the details.  Below is a summary of the planning decisions we need to make for a Shabbat kiddush.  Menu decisions must be finalized at least two weeks prior to your sponsored date to ensure that all options remain available.  A full month’s notice is required if kugel made by BIC volunteers will be on your menu.

  • which menu options you would like?

  • how many people you would like to plan for?

Menus
The following sponsorship levels are based on a normal kiddush attendance of up to 90 people.

ARAD KIDDUSH  ($400)
Challah, sweet wine, grape juice
Assorted bagels and cream cheese
Herring and crackers
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Choose one: egg salad / tuna salad
Baked goods
Coffee and tea, water

KESEF KIDDUSH  ($580)
Challah, sweet wine, grape juice
Assorted bagels and cream cheese
Herring and crackers
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Choose one: egg salad / tuna salad / Greek salad
Choose two: lox / couscous salad / wild rice salad (GF) / black bean and corn salad / hummus and pita
Baked goods
Coffee and tea, water

ZAHAV KIDDUSH  ($810)
Challah, sweet wine, grape juice
Assorted bagels and cream cheese
Herring and crackers
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Choose two: egg salad / tuna salad / Greek salad
Choose two: lox / couscous salad / wild rice salad (GF) / black bean and corn salad / hummus and pita
Choose one: smoked fish / sweet noodle kugel
Baked goods
Coffee and tea, water

Other Foods

You may, if you choose, purchase and bring in — or make in the Beth Israel Center kitchen — any kosher items that are not on the set menus. Set menu items will be made by volunteers recruited by BIC, using ingredients regularly stocked by BIC. If you choose to make or purchase additional items, the sponsorship dollar amount does not change, and you bear the cost and responsibility for sourcing the off-menu items. Contact the office to reserve time in the BIC kitchen if you or your friends or family will be preparing any special items.

Decorative Elements

The above prices include the use of Beth Israel Center's standard array of white plates and napkins, clear glassware, and stainless steel cutlery. If you would like to purchase more colorful plates, napkins, or cutlery, you are welcome to do so. All such items must be new (not previously used) and delivered to Beth Israel Center during the week before your sponsored kiddush — ideally by Wednesday.

Beth Israel Center’s standard kiddush tablecloths are dark blue and eggplant color. It is also possible to use Beth Israel Center's more formal tablecloths (black linen and floor-length navy blue) with the understanding that you will have them cleaned and pressed. Renting linen is another option if you have a prefer another color. (Beth Israel Center will coordinate this with you.)

If you would like to add other decorations to the Social Hall, please contact the office to review your plans.

Larger Parties

If you are expecting more than 90 people on the day of your simcha (that is, guests who do not regularly attend Shabbat kiddush), the larger-party fees are:

  • Up to 20 additional people (110 total) - no charge

  • For 21-45 additional people (111-135 total): $250

  • For 46-85 additional people (136-175): $500

  • For 86-135 additional people (176-225): $750

  • For 136-165 additional people (226-255): $1000


Volunteering

Since you are sponsoring a kiddush, we assume that you would rather enjoy that event than work in the kitchen on that day! However, the success of our kiddush program relies on volunteers to shop, prepare food, set up, manage/replenish the buffet, clean up, and do laundry (dish towels, table cloths, aprons).  Please consider volunteering on another Shabbat to support our program. Email hoffman@bethisraelcenter.org with any questions about volunteering or to offer your time.

TODAH!