Host a Bet Mitzvah at Am Shalom

Bet Mitzvah at Am Shalom: Read This First! 

1. Room reservations for celebrations are first come, first served. (Room reservations are taken only online and with a deposit. Continue reading below for more information.)

2. To host any type of celebration in addition to your Service, you will need to complete  an online Celebration Agreement, whether a Friday Shabbat dinner, post-service dessert, Saturday simple kiddush, kiddush to-go, kiddush luncheon or evening celebration. 

3. The required Celebration Agreement outlines deadlines for organizational preparedness including timelines, draft room diagram/layout and proposed menus for your planning purposes and to ensure successful fulfillment of your celebration.  

4. Our space is sacred and limited. Please refer to room capacities, rental time block options, and the equipment rental inventory before completing the Celebration Agreement! Note that table/chair inventory cannot be guaranteed until your room layout is approved.

5. Am Shalom needs to review all proposed menus, delivery drop off timelines and desired room layouts ONE MONTH prior to your celebration to verify inventory availability, and to offer input to finalize an operational memo that is circulated to our staff.  Please note: if the submission deadline is not met, equipment rental (at your expense) may be required.  

6. Celebrations that include three or more vendors (caterer, photographer, DJ, decor, etc) require you to hire an event planner to assist in meeting the required deadline for submitting proposed drop-off/delivery timeline, proposed menu and desired room layouts AND to be on site for day of coordination of set up, clean up and removal of items/rentals. Note: all operational arrangements, details, layouts and equipment needs are communicated through the operational memo distributed to the staff at Am Shalom as we do not have a Sales Manager or Catering Manager on site during your event.  

7. Am Shalom requires that you share a draft of your invitation before printing or electronically distributing it. This is a requirement to confirm the date and time as we have multiple celebrations occurring on any given day at the temple.  

8. Am Shalom requires that you submit your proposed guest count including adults and minors no less than 2 months prior to your celebration. This is not a final count and can be adjusted when your final count is in. Please note: this refers to minors attending (except siblings), regardless of whether their parents have been invited  

9. Am Shalom requires that Am Shalom Security and Chaperones are present at all Bet Mitzvah services and celebrations. This policy is for the security and safety of  our community, guests and vendors. Am Shalom hires chaperones from Mazel Scheduling Services for every 20 minors who will be in attendance. The fee is passed on to your family and is based on the first four hours, with hourly fees applied to the extended kiddush and celebrations depending on the number of minors in attendance. Your guest count can be adjusted closer to the date, and  it is crucial for Am Shalom to be able to properly plan for security and chaperones.   

10. Am Shalom provides prayerbooks and kippot for all services. You are welcome to create a personalized siddur or supplement to distribute. Your material must be pre-approved by the clergy one month in advance of your service.  

11. There are many guidelines about photography and A/V assistance at Am Shalom. Please share them with your photographer, videographer, DJ, planner and any other vendors who will need the information. All "photo sessions" must be reserved in advance. The bimah cannot be guaranteed prior to your service and is accessible to book at other times throughout the week. Photography and videography are permitted during the Bet Mitzvah service.

12. All vendors need to provide current certificates of insurance before working on premises and must comply with Am Shalom's policies and procedures when at Am Shalom.