Shabbat Kiddush

The Forest Hills Jewish Center holds a weekly congregational kiddush, starting immediately after Shabbat morning services, usually around noon. When there is a simcha or other special event, this is typically a seated luncheon in the Heller Ballroom; on others weeks, we serve light refreshments (cookies and coffee) in the Crystal Room.

The Kiddush Committee

The Kiddush Committee organizes the congregational kiddush each week, including ordering supplies, setting up the food, and cleaning up afterward. If you wish to join the committee as a volunteer, please contact Deborah Gregor.

Donations

To make a donation to the Kiddush Fund, please click here, and select Kiddush Fund. You may also give a check to Deborah Gregor in the synagogue office. Kiddush Fund donations support refreshments on weeks when there is not a special event or designated sponsor.

Arranging an Event

If you are having a bar/bat mitzvah or other simcha at FHJC, please contact Deborah Gregor to coordinate the refreshments. We strongly encourage you to include the congregation in your celebration. If there are concerns about costs, we can work with you to keep the event within whatever budget you are comfortable with.

Guidelines

All food served at FHJC is strictly kosher. For prepared food, all suppliers must be approved by the Va’ad Harabonim of Queens or the rabbi of Forest Hills Jewish Center. Packaged food must bear an appropriate hechsher, including OU, Kof-K, Star-K, VHM, and Circle-K. Not accepted: Tablet-K.

We follow best practices for food safety in our kitchen, including keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot. See foodsafety.gov and cdc.gov for details.

Suppliers

• Mechy’s—fleishig/meat catering
• Bagels and Co.—milchig/dairy catering, bagels
• Aron’s—beverages, misc food
• Reisman’s—cookies, challah rolls
• Queens Pita Bakery—sheet cake
• Amazon—paper goods, etc.

Golden Bagel Award

The Golden Bagel Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the FHJC Kiddush program.

• March 2023—Stephen Markowitz
• April 2023—Rae Kerzner
• May 2023—Debra Weil
• June 2023—David Zipkowitz
• July 2023—Eve Kastin
• August 2023—Maria Cusano
• September 2023—Ephraim, Michal, and Shaul Picker
• October 2023—Bonnie Chernin
• November 2023—Rebecca Dunkel