Planning a b'nai mitzvah celebration
Members are welcome to use the facilities at JCOGS to host a post-mitzvah celebration such as a kiddush or luncheon. These plans can be discussed with the office manager or the mitzvah coordinator who will work with you to understand the assets and limitations of the JCOGS space and help you plan accordingly to ensure that the day goes smoothly. Below are a few details to consider as you begin the planning process. Please keep the office apprised of all of your final plans so that the building can be set-up to accommodate your needs.
JCOGS has a combined sanctuary/social hall space, which has a move-able partition that divides them. The space can be set up to create a sense of intimacy during the service and can also accommodate a post ceremony celebrations depending on the time of year, the size of the guest list, and the scope of the planned post-mitzvah celebration. See below for details.
Sanctuary & Social Hall Options
For ceremonies with under 55 guests the sanctuary partition can remain closed, leaving the social hall available to accommodate a variety of types of kiddush/luncheons – from a simple buffet type celebration with finger-foods where seating is not required to a more formal sit down luncheon with tables/chairs and table clothes – all of which are available for your use at no extra cost.
When the number of anticipated guests exceeds 55 the partition between the sanctuary and social hall must be opened. Adding chairs to accommodate guests can limit the amount of space that is available in the social hall for tables - which could impact plans for using this space for a post-ceremony celebration. Under these circumstances the space is appropriate for a kiddush that includes finger foods and allows guests to mingle standing up (with limited seating for those who may require it).
In theory the space can be “turned over” to accommodate a sit down lunch after the service but guests will have to be moved to other parts of the building for a period of time while the turn over takes place. Arrangements will have to be made at the family’s expense to hire outside help to accomplish this, unless it is done by the caterers and is part of their fee.
It is recommended that families take a tour of the facility with the coordinator or the office manager to discuss their needs and expectations. Kiddush luncheons can always be hosted in another location.
Kosher Kitchen
The building also houses a kosher kitchen that can be used for food preparation when such accommodations are required. The office has a list of caterers who are approved to use the kitchen. There will be a minimal fee to use the kosher kitchen which covers the cost of the kitchen being cleaned after its use.
Food policies
Click here to see our JCOGS food policies. You should keep these policies in mind when planning your menu. If you are using a caterer they should be informed of the policy. No exceptions, please.
Things to keep in mind if you are not using a caterer for a luncheon:
You will need to order the food and drinks - please keep in mind the vegetarian/parve requirements as well as all other JCOGS food guidelines.
You will need to let the JCOGS staff know when the food is arriving and make plans to have someone available to receive it if it is arriving during the service.
You may use the synagogue’s plates, glasses and silverware but if you do you will need to arrange for someone to stay and wash and put them away.
You may bring your own paper plates and plasticware but keep in mind that JCOGS is working to minimize waste and so urge you to use the synagogue’s.
You will need a way to get food, drinks, and flowers delivered to the synagogue.
You will need a person(s) to set up the food service, serve the food, and clean up afterwards.
You will need a way to get leftovers out of the building.
Clean-up
Families are responsible for leaving the synagogue space in the same condition it was when they arrived. Plans for clean-up can be made with friends and family, fellow Mitzvah! families, or your caterer.
Clean up after the event entails:
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Removal/disposal of all outside food.
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Removal of all flowers from the sanctuary and from the tables.
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All plates, serving platters and utensils washed and put away.
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Tablecloths removed, shaken out and piled up in the kitchen.
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Ritual items (kiddush cup, platter for challah) washed and placed back in the cabinet.
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Garbage bags tied up and garbage placed in the cans behind the synagogue.
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Compost pail put back into the kitchen.
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Chairs placed back around tables.
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Prayer books returned to the book shelves.
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All candy wrappers placed in the trash and leftover candy picked up and put into the baskets and left on the kitchenette counter.
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Floors swept.
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All programs/kippot/gifts removed from the synagogue.
Flowers
You are welcome to order flower arrangements to be placed in the sanctuary and to decorate tables. Keep in mind that the space in the sanctuary is limited and flower arrangements should be designed and placed so as not to block the view of the congregation or the flow of the service.
Photography
Photography is allowed during the service as long as the photographer stays at the back of the sanctuary or in the doorway- so as not to disrupt, interrupt, or detract from the experience of the mitzvah ceremony and the congregants. Video recording is not allowed. Photographers should check in with the mitzvah coordinator on the day of the event to review the requirements.
Challah/Wine/Candy
Families are responsible for ordering challah/s and getting them to the synagogue on the day of the event. Picking up the challah is a task the Mitzvah Family Buddy can do.
Wine/grape juice for the kiddush are provided by JCOGS as is the candy that will be “tossed lovingly” at your child during the service.
The Mitzvah Family Buddy will be responsible for getting the challah and wine on the bima, slicing extra challah for the guests, and getting the candy into baskets so it can be handed out during the service.