WHAT:
From time to time, when there is no kiddush sponsor, we will try to organize groups of people to “support” kiddush.
HOW:
“Supporting” a group kiddush typically involves contributing $36 (or more or whatever you can afford).
For these birthday/anniversary kiddushes, we are now using the following formula: The synagogue will spend 75% of all donations raised for a birthday/anniversary kiddush on food/provisions for that particular week. So if we raised $800, then we’d spend $600 on that week’s kiddush. The remainder of the money raised will be used to defray the cost of other non-sponsored kiddushes. However, the synagogue will always try to spend at least $400 (the size of a minimal kiddush) every week.
By the way: “Sponsoring” a kiddush occurs when a family pays for the entire kiddush or when members get together on their own (e.g., if their favorite team wins a championship) to pay for the entire kiddush. This is the traditional model for a family simcha or other special occasion. Please contact the office about these.
WHEN:
If possible, we’d like to celebrate each month’s birthdays and anniversaries with group kiddushes. We are also on the lookout for parsha-themed group celebrations, e.g., families with twins supported a group kiddush in 2010 around Parshat Toldot (where the twins, Jacob and Esau, are born).
WHY:
The synagogue pays at least $400 for a minimal kiddush every Shabbat and holiday, even if there is no sponsor; this occurs about 30 times per year. While kiddush is an important outlet for creating community at Beth Sholom, it is also very expensive and has run at a financial loss for many years. Rather than cut back on unsponsored kiddushes altogether, the synagogue is making an effort to coordinate group kiddushes, along with other steps to be announced in the coming weeks.
We have three goals:
- Help the synagogue financially by defraying the cost of providing a minimal ($400) kiddush even when there is no sponsor;
- Celebrate and publicly acknowledge fun things like birthdays and anniversaries in the congregation; and
- Enhance, if possible, the size of kiddush on those weeks.
WHERE:
Usually the Social Hall.
WHO:
Daniel Levin and Karen Kissileff are co-chairs of the newly formed “group kiddush” committee. Adam Wall is the Vice President overseeing this committee.
