Mazal Tov! We greatly look forward to hosting your simcha at YINR!
Below please find a general checklist to help you plan for your upcoming bar or bat mitzvah celebration.
For any questions, please call Amy Stein, executive director, at 914-636-2215 x2 or email at executivedirector@yinr.org.
1. Book a Date. This can be done up to two (2) years in advance (we recommend booking as soon as you can within that time frame).
· Call the office to check on the date.
· Once confirmed that the date is free, fill out the simcha registration form
· Return the form with a $500 deposit to reserve your desired event room(s) for private meals and/or party. Please note that your requested room(s) are only reserved once the deposit and form are successfully submitted.
· If the date of your event changes, or you elect not to have the Bar/Bat Mitzvah at YINR, please notify the office promptly so the date can be freed up on the calendar.
2. Provide Certain Necessary Information. Between six (6) and three (3) months prior to your event (the more notice the better), please let the Executive Director know the following:
· List of Vendors - The name of the Caterer and all major vendors that will be hired
· Catering - Confirm whether this is a fully catered event, or a drop off.
(Catered event = caterer takes care of food and service throughout the event
Drop off event = The caterer sends sealed trays and platters of food. The member hires staff privately to set up tables, set up room, serve food, clean up, break down, etc. Ask the office for staffing suggestions.)
· Insurance - Host member is advised that each vendor must supply YINR with a Certificate of Insurance to cover Liability Insurance and Workman’s Compensation.
· Parking Lot/Valet - If over 90 guests, work with office to reserve a parking lot (or hire Valet if host prefers). This is a requirement of the City of New Rochelle and the cost is the member’s responsibility.
· Security - Security is required if over 90 guests. This should be arranged with the executive director/ office and the cost is the member’s responsibility.
· Mashgiach - a mashgiach must be hired for drop off events. This can be arranged with the executive director/ office and the cost is the member’s responsibility.
· Storage Needs for Event - Please be aware that there is limited storage in the shul building. If you need storage over the weekend for equipment for your simcha, you may need an additional truck or to use the garage and have the equipment brought up by your caterer. This should be arranged with the executive director/ office.
· Be sure to read through the “YINR Simcha Guidelines” which will have been sent to you at the time that you booked the date. These will help guide your planning to ensure your event is in keeping with YINR’s policies - it also explains YINR’s procedures in the event that multiple events are being held at YINR on the same weekend. Please note any additional items that may require action that are included in these guidelines (and their relevant deadlines).
3. Final Items. Within two (2) months of the date (and no later than two (2) weeks before the event), please be sure have you done the following:
· Schedule a meeting for Rabbi Fink together with your bar/ bat mitzvah child(ren). This should be done by emailing Rabbi Fink directly at rabbi@yinr.org. Please cc the simcha committee (simchacommitee@yinr.org) on the email in order to help facilitate scheduling.
· Review Shabbat morning kibbudim with the gabbaim by emailing gabbai@yinr.org.
· Please let the office know if you want the Rabbi to present books to your child during davening .
· Kiddush sponsorship: Please let the office know if you would like to sponsor kiddush. The office will provide pricing for the sponsorship of standard hot kiddushes for the Main Minyan and the 8:15 Minyan, as well as suggestions for more enhanced kiddushes.
Once again, please don’t hesitate to ask any questions along the way by calling Amy Stein, executive director at 914-636-2215x302 or email her at executivedirector@yinr.org.
You can also feel free to reach out to the YINR Simcha Committee at any time:
simchacommitee@yinr.org (Gail Krasner and Dina Sterman)
Looking forward to a beautiful simcha!