How to Throw a Beth Tfiloh Birthday Party

Schedule your Party with Care 2014-2016

Our Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School family prides itself on inclusivity and respect. Please avoid scheduling birthday parties on Shabbat and the following Jewish holidays and fast days in consideration of all of our Beth Tfiloh family members.

Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday evening and ends at nightfall (the appearance of three stars) on Saturday night. Holidays begin at sunset the preceding evening and end at nightfall (the appearance of three stars) on the final day. Fast Days marked * begin at sunrise and end at nightfall on the specified day. For more details, please refer to the booklet, BT Basics: An A to Z Guide to Judaism at www.bit.ly/BTBasicsBk. 5775/ 2014–2015

5776/ 2015–2016

Wed. Eve–Fri., Sept. 24–26

Sun. Eve–Tues., Sept. 13–15

Sun., Sept. 28

Wed., Sept. 16

yom kippur

Fri. Eve–Sat., Oct. 3–4

Tues. Eve–Wed., Sept. 22–23

sukkot

Wed. Eve–Fri., Oct. 8–10

Sun. Eve–Tues., Sept. 27–29

sh’mini atzeret

Sun. Eve–Tues., Sept. 27–29

Sun. Eve–Mon., Oct. 4–5

simchat torah

Thurs. Eve–Fri., Oct. 16–17

Mon. Eve–Tues., Oct. 5–6

fast of 10th of tevet*

Thurs., Jan. 1

Tues., Dec. 22

fast of esther*

Wed., Mar. 4

Wed., Mar. 23

purim

Wed. Eve–Thurs. Mar. 4–5

Wed. Eve-Thurs., Mar. 24

shushan purim

Fri., Mar. 6

Fri., Mar. 25

pesach

Fri. Eve–Sat., Apr. 3–11

Fri. Eve–Sat., Apr. 22–30

yom hashoah

Thurs., Apr. 16

Thurs., May 5

shavuot

Sat. Eve–Mon., May 23–25

Sat. Eve–Mon., June 11–13

fast of 17th of tammuz*

Sun., July 5

Sun., July 24

tisha b’av

Sat. Eve–Sun., July 25–26

Sat. Eve–Sun., Aug. 13–14

rosh hashanah fast of gedaliah

*

F

Dear Parents,

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elcome to the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School!

We embrace the concept of Klal Yisrael (the diversity of the Jewish community) and pride ourselves on creating an environment that is inclusive of all our children, respecting all levels of religious observance. We believe that thoughtfulness and respect for one another, or Derech Eretz, a concept our children learn here at Beth Tfiloh, extend beyond the classroom and can inform our treatment of others outside of our school walls.

Children’s birthday parties are opportunities where we can show our children that we live by the Torah’s message, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

These parties should be celebrations where all the guests feel welcome and can fully participate. In this vein, we are pleased to share this booklet, How to Throw a Beth Tfiloh Birthday Party.

This booklet addresses some of the questions or concerns families may have regarding planning such a birthday party. Included is guidance about coordinating the date of a celebration with the Jewish calendar, information about planning a Kosher menu, Q & A about Kashrut, special notes about addressing food allergies, a list of area Kosher restaurants, and coupons and special offers from many of these establishments to enhance your celebration and save you money! We are also pleased to offer our parents the convenience of celebrating their party at Beth Tfiloh with a “BT Birthday Bash” theme party (see page 9 for information). As proud members of the Beth Tfiloh family, we congratulate you on your choice of an educational environment dedicated equally to excellence in education and in Jewish values. We hope you take advantage of the opportunity to bring home to your family these important lessons. todah rabbah, Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, Dean Mrs. Zipora Schorr, Director of Education

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school policy Beth Tfiloh’s stated school policy is that birthday celebrations should not be held on Shabbat or holidays, which would prevent a child from attending because of religious observance.

Likewise, all food served at birthday parties, whether on or off school grounds, should be Kosher, regardless of the host family’s personal level of Kashrut (Jewish dietary law) observance.

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q&a

what does kosher mean?

“Kosher,” in Hebrew, means fit or proper, and is generally used to describe foods that are prepared in accordance with special Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut). what is the source of kosher dietary law?

The Jewish people have observed Kosher law for over 3,000 years. The source of all Kosher dietary laws is the Torah (the Five Books of Moses.) The Torah details which forms of meat, fowl, fish and insects are not Kosher. In addition, Jewish scholars have studied, interpreted and applied Kosher law for many centuries.

Thousands of volumes have been written about this topic. Many of these books date back as far as two thousand years ago. This vast array of Biblical and Rabbinic literature comprises the body of Kosher law.

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my family doesn’t observe kashrut. can’t i just get kosher food for the kids at the party who keep kosher?

BT’s policy is that all food at birthday parties should be Kosher, so that all of the children can enjoy participating and no one child or group is treated differently than the others. Children can be embarrassed at being “singled out” for observing Kashrut, even if Kosher food is provided for them. Just picture being the only kid at the party eating a bagel and cookies when everyone else is enjoying pizza and cake! By making sure that all of their guests can enjoy the meal or snacks they provide at their party, parents can create an environment of inclusivity and respect. can i prepare the food myself?

If your kitchen isn’t Kosher, even if the 2

food you purchase for your party is Kosher, when you prepare it with your own utensils or in your own kitchen (in your oven, sink, on your countertop, using your own pots and pans,) then it will render the food non-Kosher.

The best idea is to leave food in its original packaging and to use new paper and plastic utensils to prepare or serve the food.

Because of varying standards of Kashrut, home-made food from any kitchen cannot be served at a Beth Tfiloh Dahan birthday party. i just want to serve vegetarian pizza and cake, not meat. why do these things need to be kosher?

Most families who follow the laws of Kashrut will not eat any food unless it is under Kosher supervision. Even vegetarian food may not be an acceptable option for these families. For example, many families will only eat Kosher cheese and dairy products (not made with animal enzymes) and would therefore not eat pizza or cake unless it is certified as Kosher. can a processed food like soda, cookies or potato chips be non-kosher?

Yes. This is because all ingredients and sub-units in a product must conform to the dietary laws in order for the food item to be considered Kosher. Even one non-Kosher ingredient can render the entire product unsuitable. For example, potato chips may be fried in animal oil, or cookies may contain a non-Kosher emulsifier which is derived from animal fat.

In addition, Kosher food must be processed on Kosher equipment.

Equipment used with heat for non-

beth tfiloh dahan community school

Kosher production is rendered nonKosher and must be Kashered (made Kosher) through a special cleaning process of hot water or intense heat to be fit for Kosher service and use. what are some examples of non-kosher foods?

Animals, such as pork, rabbit and horse meat; fowl, such as owl and stork; fish, such as catfish, eels, shell fish, shrimp and octopus and almost all insects are non-Kosher foods according to Biblical definitions. In addition, Kosher meat and fowl must be ritually slaughtered in a painless and humane fashion by a specially trained expert in order to be acceptable. Dairy and meat products which commingle are not Kosher. There are also special laws relating to cheese, grape juice and wine production. why does kosher food cost more?

In order for food to be certified as Kosher, it must contain only Kosher ingredients, and must be supervised by a Mashgiach (supervisor) during its production, processing and packaging.

The extra steps required to follow the laws of Kashrut typically raise the prices of producing Kosher products. what about food allergies?

One of our key responsibilities is to promote a safe environment for every student. A number of children at Beth Tfiloh are so highly allergic to peanuts and nut products that even the smallest trace of a substance, such as peanut butter, can cause a potentially fatal reaction.

If a child on your guest list has a food allergy, please consult with his or her parents about their wishes before ordering any food or assembling goody bags.

what about goody bags?

To ensure that the treats you send in goody bags are Kosher, make sure the main packaging is marked with a Kosher symbol listed in this handbook.

If you have a question about a symbol, feel free to call the PreSchool office at (410) 413-2303 for more information.

Candy need not be a “Jewish brand” in order to be Kosher. Many of the candies you would ordinarily buy are already under Kosher supervision—just check the package! Please be aware that many gummy candies are not Kosher because they contain gelatin, an animal product. Do not choose candy items unless a Kosher symbol appears on the packaging.

Also, if your celebration includes a meat meal, avoid serving a dairy dessert or including dairy candies (anything that contains milk or milk derivatives) in the goody bags. Families who keep Kosher wait between 1 and 6 hours (depending on family custom) between first eating meat and then eating milk products. can i plan a birthday party on the second day of a holiday?

Beth Tfiloh’s policy is that birthday parties should not be held on Shabbat or Holidays. The second day of a holiday presents the same restrictions for observant families as the first day. A complete Jewish calendar listing holiday dates and the start and end times for Shabbat, holidays and fast days can be found on the Beth Tfiloh Dahan website.

We have included excerpts in this Q&A from oukosher.org/the~kosher~primer/

how to throw a beth tfiloh birthday party

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Did you know these candies are Kosher?

Dots Dum-dums Grapeheads Jelly Belly Kisses Kit-Kats Laffy Taffy Lemonheads M&Ms Milky Ways Tootsie Rolls Twix Twizzlers Whoppers

General Guidelines

tthe party date We ask that you not schedule birthday parties on Shabbat and observant Jewish holidays. (Please see the Beth Tfiloh calendar for dates of observant Jewish holidays for this year.) Shabbat and holidays begin at sunset the preceding night, with the exception of the Fasts of Esther, Gedalia, Tevet and Tammuz which take place from sunrise on the designated day.

Parties should not be scheduled on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the first two days of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, the first two and last two days of Pesach, Shavuot, Tisha B’Av and the fast days mentioned in the beginning of this book.

Parties may be held during the intermediate days of Sukkot and Pesach (chol hamoed), Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Lag Ba’Omer and Yom Yerushalayim. food allergies Regarding guests with food allergies, please plan your menu with sensitivity and safety in mind. When using prepared foods, read all food and candy labels to be sure they are peanut free. (e.g. Entenmann’s Little Bites and Hershey [plain] chocolate Kisses are both Kosher and nut free.) Also, talk with your catering establishment to be sure they understand there will be an allergic child eating their food.

Please contact your guest’s parents in advance of the party date regarding their particular wishes. drinks All juices, including punches, must bear a Kosher symbol. Coca-Cola and Pepsi products bear Kosher symbols. Milk cannot be served with a meat meal.

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food In order to serve Kosher food there are a number of basic requirements. n The food must bear a proper supervi-

sion symbol. The following symbols indicate that the food is Kosher:

n Most Baskin Robbins and pre-made

Carvel products are under this supervision. See sign at stores for details. n Please remember that meat products

cannot be served with dairy products.

Pareve indicates that the item is neither dairy nor meat. n All items on your menu must either

be dairy/pareve or meat/pareve. n Please be advised that manufacturers

can put a regular “K” on any food without having rabbinic supervision that the food is Kosher. If you have a question about a particular product or about any other Kosher symbol, please call us at (410) 486-1905. candy Most major candy companies are under proper supervision and bear one of the Kosher symbols. Please also see the information under “Goody Bags” on page 3. Some Kosher products include: Laffy Taffy (pareve), Jelly Belly (pareve), Hershey candy products (dairy), York Peppermint Patty, Milky Way, Nestle’s Crunch, M&M’s (dairy). Note: Skittles, Starburst and SweeTarts are NOT under Kosher supervision.

beth tfiloh dahan community school

Pariser’s Bakery 6711 Reisterstown Road (410) 764-1700 Seven Mile Market 201 Reisterstown Road (410) 653-2000 Sion’s Bakery 302 Reisterstown Road (410) 548-0372 cakes/baked goods (dairy) Cold Stone Creamery 1809 Reisterstown Road (410) 484-3030 Dunkin’ Donuts* Reisterstown Road and Colonial Village (410) 764-6846 Dunkin’ Donuts* Reisterstown Road and Old Court Road (410) 653-8182 * Only these locations are kosher

dairy meals Caramel’s Pizza 700 Reisterstown Road (410) 486-2365

meat meals Accents Grille 2839 Smith Avenue (410) 602-2224

Cocoaccino’s Coffee Café Greenspring Shopping Center (410) 653-3888

David Chu’s China Bistro 7105 Reisterstown Road (410) 602-5008

Eden Café Park Heights JCC (410) 542-5185 Goldberg’s New York Bagels 1500 Reisterstown Road (410) 415-7001 Goldberg’s New York Bagels 31 East Padonia Road (410) 891-8559 Mama Leah’s Pizza 1500 Reisterstown Road, Suite 222 (410) 653-7600 Me • Latté Owings Mills JCC (410) 356-3368 Milk & Honey Bistro 1777 Reisterstown Road (410) 486-4344 Tov Pizza 6313 Reisterstown Road (410) 358-5238 Van Gogh Café 300 South Ann Street (410) 558-1958 YogoLaada 1860 Reisterstown Road (410) 484-9646

Dougie’s Bar-B-Que & Grill 600 Reisterstown Road (410) 486-0060 Knish Shop 508 Reisterstown Road (410) 484-5850 Kosher Bite 6309 Reisterstown Road (410) 358-6349 Me • Latté Owings Mills JCC (410) 356-3368 Royal Kosher Restaurant 7002 Reisterstown Road (410) 484-3544 Umami Bistro 1500 Reisterstown Road (410) 484-7787 candy/novelties The Candy Store 7002 Reisterstown Road (410) 653-9900 The Chocolate Publishing Company 1500 Reisterstown Road (410) 358-2626

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how to throw a beth tfiloh birthday party

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Kosher Establishments

cakes (pareve) Goldman’s Kosher Bakery 6848 Reisterstown Road (410) 358-9625

these coupons are applicable for beth tfiloh dahan preschool and lower school parties only and are not to be used for any other catering purposes.

CARAMEL’S ICE CREAM & PIZZA beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

15% off entire order of $100 or more, or 10% off any order 700 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 486-2365

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www.caramelspizza.com

DUNKIN’ DONUTS beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

$1.00 off 1 dozen donuts or 50 munchkins 7000 Reisterstown Road (Colonial Village)

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(410) 764-6846

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www.dunkindonuts.com

EDEN CAFÉ beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% discount on orders $10 and over 5700 Park Heights Avenue

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(410) 542-5185e

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eden.cafe@hotmail.com

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www.edencafekosher.com

GOLDBERG’S NEW YORK BAGELS beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% off entire purchase at both locations 1500 Reisterstown Road n (410) 415-7001 n www.goldbergsbagels.net 31 East Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093 n (410) 891-8551

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beth tfiloh dahan community school

visit www.bethtfiloh.com for any updates or coupon additions.

GOLDMAN’S KOSHER BAKERY beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% off entire purchase sale items excluded, cash only one time only 6848 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 358-9625

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Find us on Facebook

www.goldmanskosherbakery.com

KNISH SHOP beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

$50 off catering for parties booked at knish party room located at 514 reisterstown road 508 Reisterstown Road

(410) 484-5850

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www.knishshop.com

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MAMA LEAH’S PIZZA beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

first 18”pizzas 1–9: 5% off subtotal pizza 10 and up: 10% off subtotal pick-up only 1500 Reisterstown Road, Ste 222

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(410) 653-7600

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www.mamaleahspizza.com

MILK & HONEY BISTRO beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% off minimum purchase of $50 of catered food 1777 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 486-4344

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how to throw a beth tfiloh birthday party

milkbistro@aol.com

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these coupons are applicable for beth tfiloh dahan preschool and lower school parties only and are not to be used for any other catering purposes.

PARISER’S BAKERY beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

15% off entire purchase cakes are nut-free upon request 6711 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 764-1700

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parisersbakery@hotmail.com

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www.parisersbakery.com

SION’S BAKERY beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% off all purchases 302 Reisterstown Road

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(443) 548-0370

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sion@sionsbakery.com

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www.sionsbakery.com

THE CANDY STORE beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

spend $25 and receive $5 off 7002 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 653-9900

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www.thecandystoreonline.com

TOV PIZZA beth tfiloh dahan community school birthday book

10% off birthday party orders pick up only 6313 Reisterstown Road

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(410) 358-5238

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www.tovpizza.com

beth tfiloh dahan community school

announcing‌

BT BIRTHDAY

h BASH! Make Beth Tfiloh the location of your child’s next birthday party! we provide the cake, party supplies & the following party choices:

cooking crafts gym party bring-your-own entertainment n

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For more information, contact the Beth Tfiloh Youth Center at (410) 413-2221

Roz and Marvin H. Weiner Family Campus 3300 Old Court Road Baltimore, Maryland 21208 (410) 486-1905 www.bethtfiloh.com