Library Minyan Kiddush Options
Temple Beth Am provides a “basic” kiddush for the Library Minyan each week, as part of the member services covered by general membership fees. Even our most basic kiddush is more elaborate than at many synagogues, and includes wine/juice, challah, vegetarian cholent, fruit plate, coffee, lemonade, and dessert.
In order to enhance our Shabbat joy and maximize schmoozing opportunities, we seek to provide enhanced kiddushim as frequently as possible with the help of our members. Someone wishing to celebrate an event by sponsoring a kiddush in any of the ways described below should contact the Kiddush Committee Chair (currently Carl Sunshine) at KiddushComm@LibraryMinyan.org to schedule it.
There are three ways for individuals to enhance a kiddush: cater one, co-sponsor one with the Library Minyan, or individually add to the basic kiddush. If none of these methods meet your needs, it may be possible to make special arrangements.
1a. The most sumptuous (and expensive) method is for an individual – or group of individuals – celebrating a simcha to hire an outside caterer. A list of TBA-approved caterers is available from Ronna Sundy, rsundy@tbala.org, (310) 652-7354 ext. 217. The cost of this begins at $2,000 for buffet style, and can be considerably higher, depending on the menu, serving arrangements, and number of people expected. Although potentially quite expensive, this method provides almost unlimited menu options.
1b. Another catering method is for an individual to use the TBA in-house catering staff. They can provide items from a limited but satisfying cold dairy menu (plus our warm cholent). The cost for this method begins at $1,200 and can be higher if more items are included or more people are expected. For information about the TBA in-house catering, contact KiddushComm@LibraryMinyan.org or Ronna Sundy, rsundy@tbala.org, (310) 652-7354 ext. 217.
2. A second kiddush option is the Library Minyan co-sponsored Kiddush. This is provided by the in-house catering staff, and features a selection of items from a menu that can include bagels, and cream cheese, tuna salad, egg salad, humus and pita, bourikas, salads, herring, vegetarian cholent, desserts, and fruit plate. There is some flexibility with the menu, depending on the number of sponsors and their preferences.
Funding is provided partly by TBA, partly by the Library Minyan itself (from donations received over the year), and partly from specific sponsors who wish to celebrate some event that week. The minimum donation is $18; more typical donations by each sponsor range from $50-300. For more information, or to request a specific date, please contact KiddushComm@LibraryMinyan.org.
A LM co-sponsored kiddush cannot be used to sponsor a kiddush for an aufruf or a bar/bat mitzvah, and cannot be scheduled more than once a month.
3. The third method of individual sponsorship can be used on any week that would otherwise be a basic Kiddush. The individual can select any item(s) from the in-house catering menu and pay the cost of that item (or items) plus $100 (which is split with Library Minyan). It is also possible to sponsor a Temple Beth Am seudah shlishit on a specific week at modest cost (since the number of people is smaller).
For more information, or to request a specific date for individual sponsorship, contact KiddushComm@LibraryMinyan.org.
Kiddush honors:
All LM kiddush sponsors, of any kiddush option enumerated above, with a contribution of any amount, will be listed in the TBA Shabbat bulletin. All LM kiddush sponsors will be publically thanked from the bimah. All LM kiddush sponsors may — but are not required to — lead Kiddush from the bimah at the end of services.
Payments:
Payments for outside-catered kiddushim (1a) should be arranged as directed by Ronna. Payments for fully sponsored in-house catered events (1b) should be made to the TBA office. Donations for a co-sponsored (2) or individual (3) kiddush should be made to the Library Minyan in one of two ways:
- Send a check written to “The Library Minyan of TBA” to our Treasurer: Dale Bodenstein, 1056 S Crescent Heights,
Los Angeles, CA 90035. For your convenience, you can pick up a pre-addressed envelope from the table outside the chapel on Shabbat. - If you want to make a donation with a credit card, use the information on the Donation page.
For both methods, please email to KiddushComm@LibraryMinyan.org and treasurer@libraryminyan.org to indicate the amount and purpose of your donation.