Oneg Host Instructions

Thank you for offering to host the Oneg. These receptions are essential for nurturing the sense of community within CBI, and as a host, you play a crucial role in fostering this connection. 

A Board member designated as the Board Host for your event will open and close the building. They are also available to assist with any questions you may have during your hosting duties. 

Feel free to tailor your Oneg to your preferred level of hospitality. Whether you prefer simplicity or something more elaborate, it's entirely up to you. While flowers for the tables are optional, they add a nice touch. For most Shabbat Services, plan for 25-30 people. As a rough guideline, bring three items to share: something sweet, something savory, and something healthy. Suggestions include fruit salad, cheese & crackers, pretzels & chips, hummus & pita chips, cookies, brownies, or mini cupcakes. Note: Baked goods should be made without animal fat; butter, vegetable shortening, and vegetable margarine are acceptable substitutes.

CBI will:

• Provide challah, wine/juice for Kiddush and paper goods. 

• Set the room with a large table for the food, including dessert plates, forks and napkins.

• Pour the wine/juice for the Kiddush (found in the refrigerator).

• Put out the hot pot for the hot water, including supplies for tea/instant coffee.

Oneg Host will: 

• Plate all of your goodies. If you need any extra platters/bowls/serving utensils they can be found in the kitchen pantry or in the drawers in the kitchen. 

• Hot Water prep for tea/coffee: use the coffee maker in the kitchen (opposite pantry). Place the carafes on the hot pot plate near the kitchen door. Remember to unplug at the end. Please also turn off the coffee maker in the kitchen. 

• Pass out the Kiddush cups at the end of services. Recruit help from the Congregation as needed; most people are happy to help. Do a head count during services to ensure ample cups are prepped. (If not, wine/juice are in the refrigerator and Kiddush cups on the shelf). 

  • We typically pour 3:1 ratio of juice to wine. Wine is white and juice is purple/grape.

• Cleaning up – Be sure everything is cleaned up in the social hall and containers and serving dishes are washed and dried. There are step by step directions on how to use the Dishwasher. (Feel free to do dishes by hand as well.) Take home any leftover food. We greatly appreciate you leaving the kitchen as neat as when you arrived. 

At the start of Friday services, you'll have the honor of reciting the candle prayer in either Hebrew or English. If there are co-hosts, you can decide beforehand who will say the prayer, or one person can say it in English and the other in Hebrew. Please inform the Rabbi/Cantor of your decision before the service begins.

Let the office know if you have any questions and thank you again for this wonderful mitzvah you are to perform for our Congregation.