At Birmingham Central United Synagogue, we cherish the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate special occasions. We invite our members to sponsor the weekly kiddush, a time-honoured tradition that provides a warm and joyous gathering for our congregation after Shabbat services. By sponsoring the kiddush, you can make a meaningful contribution to our community while commemorating a special event in your life such as a birthday, engagement, anniversary, retirement, or yahrzeit of a loved one. Your sponsorship not only supports the kiddush but also helps sustain our community and the programmes we offer. We include details of the forthcoming kiddush in the weekly newsletter and acknowledge your event in the announcements after the service.
We offer a range of kiddush packages depending on your budget and number of guests:
Foyer kiddush:
- suitable for up to 50 guests standing (some limited seats are available around the room)
- sponsorship cost is £150 which includes the standard provision of cakes, biscuits, crisps, kiddush wine, grape juice, whisky, soft drinks, plain napkins, tea and coffee served on china and glassware
- any additional food must be ordered through the office. It will be sourced from Central Deli and will be charged at their published prices
- any significant change to the standard kiddush (e.g. hot food) will require at least one waiting staff which will be provided at a cost of £82 per waiter for four hours
Locker Suite kiddush:
- suitable for up to 130 guests
- tables can be configured as required but are usually set out as tables of 10
- ample space for serving tables as well as seating
- sponsorship cost is £500 which includes kiddush wine, grape juice, whisky, tea and coffee served on china and glassware, one waiting staff and one kitchen porter for four hours.
- additional event staff will be recharged at a cost of £82 per staff member for four hours – a seated luncheon typically requires a total of three waiting staff and one kitchen porter.
- all food must be ordered through the office. It will be sourced from Central Deli and will be charged at their published prices
All food is supplied via Central Deli, in accordance with kashrut requirements, with the exception of any fresh ingredients which we ask you to discuss with us at the time of booking. All milk products are Chalav Yisrael. The kashrut of Birmingham Central is under the supervision of Rabbi Hambling.
Celebrants can bring in additional drinks (these must be on the KLBD kosher list). All scotch whisky is permitted (as standard we provide a single malt or good blended whisky – feel free to bring in something a little more special if you or your guests appreciate it!). As with food, all drinks must be pre-approved by Rabbi Hambling before being brought onto the premises.
For any kiddush or event, you are able to order additional food. These are some of the popular items that people request:
- Smoked Salmon
- Fish Balls
- Chopped Herring
- Schmaltz Herring
- Crackers
- Egg Mayonnaise
- Pickled Cucumber
- Olives
- Fruit
Cholent & kugel is also a favourite option and currently costs in the region of £3.50 per person (with a choice of meat or vegetable cholent). Please note that if this is served as a non-seated meal, you are not able to have any fish products.
We also offer refreshments after a stone-setting and these are priced the same way as a kiddush above.
Please note that all pricing is current as at June 2023 and subject to change.