Oneg, Kiddush Luncheon, and Party

Oneg Shabbat Requirements

It is customary for the BE Mitzvah families to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat (reception) after the service on the Friday evening preceding the BE Mitzvah service, as well as to provide challah and grape juice after the morning service. PTBE will provide all Oneg items, including challahs for the bimah and for Friday and Saturday Oneg, for the cost of $250 (or $180 for each family if two families are sharing the Oneg). We will bill you shortly after the service.

Using the Temple’s Facilities

If you would like to use the temple’s Fellowship Hall for a luncheon following the Shabbat morning service, please contact the Event Coordinator to reserve the space one year prior to your service date. There is no fee for the use of Fellowship Hall for a Kiddush luncheon that ends by 2:30pm. For other arrangements, please contact Ronnie Weisberg. Basic set-up and take-down (using temple’s tables and chairs) are included, but full clean-up for all events with food are the responsibility of the family or their caterer. If you would like to use the Fireside Room for a private Erev Shabbat dinner on Friday night, please also contact Ronnie Weisberg one year prior. You can book the room for a fee.

All guests attending Shabbat morning service, a luncheon, or a celebration at the temple are expected to behave in a respectful manner. Please plan your event to engage your young guests’ energy. BE Mitzvah families are responsible for any property damage caused by guests. The outdoor playground may not be used by guests attending a BE Mitzvah celebration. Please observe the guidelines in PTBE’s Facility Use Rules.

Using the Temple’s Facilities for Double BE Mitzvah

If more than one BE Mitzvah is scheduled for the same day, the above procedures still apply. The expectation is that both families can co-host the luncheon and agree on a caterer and menu. We have a list of several approved caterers, or you can make your own arrangements (upon approval from the temple) if all parties agree.

Catering

PTBE has a strict Kosher style food policy of serving either dairy or meat during a meal (appetizer and main course combined) and no pork or shellfish. Exception is given to dessert but requires all buffet items to be removed before serving dessert if a meat meal was selected. To ensure that our life-cycle events make as little impact on the earth, PTBE has instituted Green Guidelines for events at our facility. All caterers must sign and return this Caterer Agreement prior to your event. At the end of your event, please make sure your caterer has a temple employee sign off on the Caterer’s Exit Checklist.

Security Guard

We require the presence of a security guard on campus during Friday evening service, Shabbat morning service, and all after-service celebrations on Saturday. The synagogue will cover the cost up till 2 pm on Saturday. If your event goes beyond 2 pm, there will be out-of-pocket cost of hiring a security guard for you.