Sponsor Kiddush in 3 EASY STEPS!

Kiddush is vital for our community. We rely on community members to support this important function, so that we can: mark meaningful milestones individually and collectively; welcome familiar and new faces to our community; and extend the warmth and joy of spending Shabbat and holidays together.

Kiddush FAQ

How do I sign up to sponsor?

Please email kiddush@kehilathadar.org with:

• the date you would like to sponsor
• the reason for sponsorship (so we can acknowledge your support in shul communications)
• (if known) whether you plan to schedule a delivery or will be shopping and bringing the kiddush food yourself.  

A member of the kiddush team will promptly follow up with you to help with logistics and walk you through our policies.

What are sponsor responsibilities?

As a volunteer-led community, we request that sponsors participate in set-up and clean-up on the date of their sponsorship. They will also be supported in this by a kiddush team member. The kiddush team will share the guidelines and policies with sponsors in advance of their sponsorship date.

1. Shop or have food delivered

Sponsors have the option to 1) shop for food and drop it off at 210 West 93rd Street or 2) place an online order for delivery to 210 West 93rd Street. Deliveries are generally accepted between 9-11 AM on Friday morning. Before placing any order, please email Evan Feist, KHSZ Administration & Operations Manager, at evan@kehilathadar.org to coordinate delivery times and to ensure that delivered perishables will be unpacked and refrigerated.

Note regarding bread products (challah, bagels): KHSZ policy is to permit bread only as part of a substantial meal, as it requires netilat yadayim (washing hands before eating bread), hamotzi (reciting a blessing over bread), and bentching (saying Grace After Meals). If you are sponsoring a kiddush and not a lunch, please select crackers or chips. If you are interested in sponsoring a more substantial meal which will include bread, please inform the kiddush team.

2. Set up

On Shabbat morning, the sponsors and the kiddush team volunteer start preparing the food platters in the kitchen off of the social hall; then, the food is brought out from the kitchen and placed on the round tables in the middle of the social hall. This should be completed before Shabbat morning services conclude.

 Kiddush takes place immediately after the end of services.

3. Clean up

When kiddush is over, please throw away (or compost) food scraps in the labeled bins; discard or recycle  bags/containers; take home leftovers if you wish or ask community members if they want them; and put platters, bowls, and serving utensils (not disposable cutlery) in the sink. Sponsors are not responsible for washing dishes or utensils.

What is the community's kashrut policy?

The kashrut policy can be found here.

How many people should I plan for?

Please plan to provide kiddush for approximately 130 people. 

All contributions towards kiddush are greatly appreciated. We are committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from contributing due to financial hardship. Please email kiddush@kehilathadar.org to learn about accessible sponsorship options, including co-sponsorships. 

What type of food should I get?

Here are links to suggested items from Instacart and FreshDirect; please order through your personal Instacart or FreshDirect account. 

There are always have pitchers of water available, but you are welcome to also provide bottles of soda and seltzer. 

How can I coordinate a larger kiddush or a lunch?

If you are considering a more extensive kiddush spread or a catered order, please email kiddush@kehilathadar.org. The kiddush team is happy to provide a list of packages that other community members have used.