Oneg/Kiddush Sponsor Guidelines
We urge you to KISS: Keep It Simple Sweetheart! Or bring on the feast, if that’s your joy.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before services to set up. We encourage you to minimize the amount of prep you will need to do at Ner Shalom by arriving with your food ready to serve, and already on your own platters if possible. We do have plates, platters, and serving utensils if you cannot bring your own. If needed, a member of the Kitchen Committee will be there to show you where things are and to pour the kiddush wine, etc. Let us know if you need this assistance.
Oneg Room and Kitchen
What's acceptable?
Food served in the synagogue should fall into the kosher category of milchic, dairy. This means:
Any vegetarian or vegan dish and all dairy products are acceptable and do not need to be kosher.
Fish with fins and scales are acceptable.
Understanding that many members of our congregation do not keep a kosher kitchen, we welcome food prepared and served using any pots, pans, and plates, if they are clean and free of meat products at the time cooking begins.
Store-bought baked goods such as pie-crusts and some crackers often contain animal fats, so please be aware. Also label the food or put the package on the table so people can check for allergens.
Flowers
Flowers are a nice touch. If you choose to bring flowers, it is important to remember that Ner Shalom is committed to creating a scent-free environment, so the flowers should be unscented.
What and How Much Shall I bring?
Ritual Food and Wine
Please provide the challah; one large challah will serve our usual crowd of 30-40 people. If you would prefer that the Ner Shalom office staff to pick up the challah, someone will either defrost one from the freezer, or, if there are none, will buy a fresh one. Please let the office know if you want them to get the challah by emailing: info@nershalom.org.
Ner Shalom with provide the juice and wine for the kiddush, but you are welcome to provide your own instead.
Food
As stated before, KISS! We appreciate your contribution of food and encourage you to provide only what is easy for you. Here are some suggestions:
§ Hummus, baba ghanoush, other dips with veggies
§ Crackers or pita
§ Cream cheese and bagels
§ Fruit
§ Cheeses
§ Cut pieces of quiche or kugel
§ Cookies, brownies, cake, etc.
Please label everything so folks with food allergies will know what’s safe for them to eat (gluten/gluten free, dairy, onions, garlic, especially).
You must take all the leftover food home with you. Please do not leave food behind in the refrigerator. Bring containers/plastic baggies to distribute food if you plan on offering to-go packets to people.
Who Does What?
The Kitchen Committee person will be available to show you where things are (plates, napkins, etc).
You are responsible for putting out and packing away your food. Please do not leave any food or drink behind.
We may have a person who is hired to help clean up after services (stacking chairs and putting away tables) and this person can put the dishes into the dishwasher, however, they won’t be bringing things from the Oneg room into the kitchen or deal with leftover food. (You may offer them a plate of food.)