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We are delighted that you are considering having your event in our beautiful new
building. It is our hope that by providing you with information regarding room capacity, pricing, layout, etc.,
we can help to make planning your event easier and more efficient.
The following information and regulations apply to all persons and groups using
the building and grounds of Congregation Beth Elohim. It is our hope that this information will enable everyone
to use the building in an enjoyable and respectful way. Here you will find a Building Use Application Form and a Room Setup form which
must be submitted, along with your deposit, a minimum of 4 weeks before your event. If you have any
questions about policy or equipment, please call the synagogue office at 978-263-3061.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Accessibility Activities must be confined to the reserved space. Areas available
for rent are the community court, sanctuary, social hall and kitchen. The library, youth lounge, classrooms and
office spaces are not available for rent. Access to restrooms, phone and cleanup materials will be available at
all times.
Decorations No decorations, banners or signs may be placed on the walls or ceilings
without prior approval. No sticky tape (including masking or drafting tape) may be used except on glass. Poster-gum
may be used on painted walls. All decorations must be removed at the end of the function.
Food All food and food preparation must conform
to kitchen policies and the Kashrut guidelines (see below). When a caterer will be used, the Rabbi must approve
the caterer.
Alcohol No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the Synagogue premises without prior
approval. To obtain approval the user must provide a certificate of liability insurance. Alcohol MAY NOT BE SOLD
under any circumstances.
Electronics No outside appliances or electronic equipment may be used without prior
approval. Use of the Synagogue sound system also requires prior approval.
Entertainment Any event that takes place on the
Sabbath must adhere to specific activity restrictions regarding music and dancing. From sundown Friday to sundown
Saturday DJ’s, electronic amplification and rock/pop music are not allowed in the synagogue. Live musicians, specifically
klezmer bands, Jewish and Israeli folk music groups and quiet classical ensembles are the only permissible forms
of musical entertainment during the Sabbath. All dancing must be confined to Jewish and Israeli folk dance.
SPACE
Sanctuary
Beth Elohim’s sanctuary can accommodate 200 people for a service or performance. The sanctuary can accommodate
an additional 50 people by opening up the ‘swing space’. If the entire social hall with swing space (2,200’) is
opened to the sanctuary a total of 700 chairs s can fit into this combined space. Be aware that with these numbers
it will be necessary to rent additional chairs from an outside source.
Social Hall
Beth Elohim's social hall is approximately 2,200 sq. ft. and can comfortably
accommodate up to 120 guests at round and rectangular tables. A 400 sq. ft. dance floor and head table of 30 people
is included in this configuration. (Attached is a sample setup for the social hall from a recent Bat Mitzvah reception.)
With additional tables set in the sanctuary, 30 additional people can comfortably be seated.
Community Court
The spacious, bright alcove just outside the social hall and sanctuary
is commonly referred to as the Community Court It is a friendly and attractive supplemental space that can be used
for kiddush, cocktails and even appetizer service. Weather permitting, the beautiful outdoor garden at the entrance
to the synagogue can also be enjoyed. Attached is the schedule of fees associated with building use and set-up.
Catering and Kitchen Use (Please refer to our Kitchen Guide)
Any caterer will be delighted to work in our spacious, fully equipped kosher style kitchen. (Please consult the
synagogue kashrut policy about what foods may be brought into the kitchen.) We usually set aside part of one refrigerator
before and during an event, and will try to accommodate additional storage and space needs, if we are informed
in advance. Please call the office (978) 263-3061 2 weeks before your event to confirm and coordinate kitchen
space and storage needs.
- All uses of the kitchen by Congregation and non-Congregation groups/individuals
must be scheduled in advance. If a caterer will be used, the Rabbi must approve the caterer and menu.
- Most of the kitchen cabinets and pantry are kept locked. When kitchen use is planned,
the appropriate cabinets and appliances will be locked/unlocked for you.
- Supplies available for all Congregation-sponsored events are coffeepots, coffee,
apple juice, hot and cold cups, sugar, stirrers, tablecloths, and limited amounts of napkins and paper plates.
There is also a variety of cooking and serving utensils for Congregation use only. None of these supplies, except
the coffeepots, may be used by an outside group or private party.
- Everything that is used must be washed, dried and returned to its proper place.
Cleaning supplies, including broom and dustpan, paper towels and dish soap are provided. All trash should be placed
in the available trashcans. The janitor will empty the trashcans. However, if the bag is full, please tie the full
bag and place next to the can. You should then put a new bag in the can. Trash bags are kept on the counter next
to the microwave.
- Leftover food from a meeting or other function should be taken home, given away
or discarded. Do not leave anything in the refrigerator/freezer unless it is labeled with its intended use and
dated. Conversely, do not take anything out of the refrigerator/freezer that is labeled for someone else’s function.
- Paper goods bought for special functions should be taken home by the group or
individual who purchased them, or they may be placed into the appropriate cabinets and become available for general
use.
- Groups or individuals using the kitchen equipment are responsible for the replacement
of damaged or lost kitchen equipment.
- No actual cooking from "scratch" is allowed on the Sabbath. Previously
cooked foods may be warmed.
- All food served in the Synagogue must be prepared and served in accordance with
the Congregation’s Kashrut Policy. If you are planning a function with food, please request a copy of the complete
Kashrut Policy from the Congregation office secretary. If you have any other questions, call the Kitchen Chairperson
or the Rabbi.
- No mixing of meat and dairy products.
- No non-Kosher ingredients (pork, shellfish). Be especially careful when bringing
in packaged foods. Many crackers and cakes use animal fat. Read labels carefully.
- Dairy foods may be prepared in members’ homes or by a non-Kosher caterer without
regard to the utensils used.
- Meat (Kosher only) must be prepared in the synagogue kitchen by congregants or
provided by a kosher caterer.
Remember: this is a community kitchen. Many people must use it, so use common
sense and common courtesy in cleaning up afterwards and leaving it usable for the next person.
BUILDING ACCESS AND SECURITY
Security
When you sponsor an event at the
synagogue you are responsible for the building during the event.
As such, you will need to designate a ‘security’ person for the duration
of your event. Typically this will be the person who holds the "swipe
card" style key to the building. The security person should review
the ‘Security Duties' document for a complete accounting of their duties.
For an event not sponsored by the Congregation
for which no Congregation member is available as the 'security' person,
the Synagogue Administrator will contact the Building Security Team to
see if any of their members can be responsible for secirity and building
access.
Building Access
- "Swipe Cards" to the building are issued on an as-needed basis. All
keys remain the property of Congregation Beth Elohim and must be returned upon request.
- Swipe Cards may be borrowed through the Congregation office secretary no sooner
than 2 days before the event and returned within two days after its use. A card should be used only for the event
for which it was issued; a card should never be lent to someone for another event.
- In addition to a Swipe Card to enter through the main or school entrance, you
may need a key to open specific doors within the building. If necessary, you will be issued a key, which allows
entrance to these areas. Be sure you understand exactly which areas your key opens. Please be sure to relock any
doors you have unlocked before leaving the building.
- When your use of the building is confirmed, you will receive written instructions
on unlocking and locking the building, using the security alarm system, and other security duties. If you would
like training on the security system other than the written instructions, please call the synagogue office or ask
the office administrator for a demonstration when you pick up the swipe card.
EQUIPMENT
In addition to the full sized commercial refrigerator, there is also a designated
freezer that is available for events. The kitchen also includes a convection oven, a microwave oven and a six-burner
commercial stove. In order to ensure adequate space, advance notification of storage needs is necessary.
Congregation Beth Elohim currently has:
- (11) 72" round tables (comfortably seats 10 people)
- (10) 60" round tables (comfortably seats 8 people)
- (9) 8" rectangular tables
- (3) 6" rectangular tables
- 290 folding chairs
Included in the building use fee is the use of the synagogue’s tables or chairs. Any additional tables and chairs,
as well as all linens must be rented. Recommended rental companies are listed in the Sisterhood service guide as
well as the Yellow Pages.
ROOM FEES
A Kiddush, approximately 1 hour in length immediately following the service
and involving our standard kiddush setup of 2 or 3 rectangular tables for food and beverage will not incur a room
fee. The community court, social hall and the kitchen may be used.
An extended Kiddush, approximately 2 hours in length (and involving a more
elaborate setup of the room, if desired) will incur a $200 fee for members and a $400 fee for non-members. The
community court, social hall and the kitchen may be used.
A luncheon function extending till 4 p.m. will incur a $400 fee for members
and an $800 fee for non-members. The community court, social hall and the kitchen may be used.
A dinner function extending till 11 p.m. will incur a $750 fee for members
and a $1500 fee for non-members. The community court, social hall and the kitchen may be used.
A lecture, class or meeting in the social hall will incur a $200 for a member
and a $400 fee for a non-member.
Deposit Policy
Upon choosing a space, and committing to a definite date and time for your
event, the attached Building Use Application Form must be filled out and submitted to the synagogue office not
less than 4 weeks before your event. Once the date and time is approved; a $250 deposit will be required for non-members
in order to hold the requested space.
The room fee for non-members must be paid 1 month prior to the date of the event.
Cancellation Policy for Non-Members
Cancellations must be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the date in order to receive the full refund
less $100.
Cost of Building Use
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SPACE |
SETUP |
MEMBER |
NONMEM |
| Regular Kiddush following Bar/Bat Mitzvah (<1 hour) |
Kitchen, Social Hall and/or Community Court |
2-3 tables for food & beverage |
N/C |
N/C |
| Extended Kiddush following B/BM (1-2 hours) |
Kitchen, Social Hall and/or Community Court |
Tables for food & beverage, tables and chairs for seating as desired, etc. (setup
and cleanup) |
$200 |
$400 |
| Luncheon (4-5 hours) |
Kitchen, Social Hall, etc. (CBE MEMBERS ONLY—partial use of Sanctuary space) |
Tables, chairs, etc. (Set-up and cleanup) |
$400 |
$800 |
| Dinner, wedding (evening event of 4-5 hours) |
Kitchen, Social Hall, etc. (CBE MEMBERS ONLY—partial use of Sanctuary space) |
Tables, chairs, etc. (Setup and cleanup) |
$750 |
$1500 |
| Wedding Only (non-member) |
Sanctuary |
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$500 |
| Use of upstairs space for non-profit groups (Hadassah, JCC, etc.) |
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$30/hr. custodial time |
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