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Shabbat Dinner Party
Topic Started: Jun 14 2011, 06:33 AM (1,107 Views)
hallie_ari_mom
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Rebbetzin
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Some of my friends got together and we decided to have a monthly Shabbat dinner party, rotating houses each week. As of yesterday it was supposed to be nice Friday, but now I hear showers (argh!!)

The hostess makes the main course, while the guests bring salad, side, dessert. Overall, it is intended to be a simple dinner, and not one where we aim to out do eachother, or where there is a ton of food. There will be 18 total. I'm planning on BBQing chicken and veggies (pineapple, zucchini, onion, peppers), someone is bringing potatoes, another salad, and the last dessert. Wine will be brought as well, and I'll pick up some yummy challah (I can't make any this week.. no time).
Any other thoughts or suggestions?
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4hope
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Bala Buste
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no suggestions now, but really applaud the initiative, what a wonderful idea!

from right after succos until right after purim we have shabbos evening meals in our community (kehilah). following themes different groups of people cook for the meals, and all can attend, paying a small fee. it's a huge success.
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hallie_ari_mom
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Rebbetzin
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That's awesome! I love the idea of a theme. I'm glad ours ends up being small-ish, and cheap-ish.... as this could get out of hand quickly. Do you do the shabbos meals in a community center or in homes?
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zuncompany
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Sounds awesome. If someone wants to do fish, thats the only thing I can really see "missing."
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hallie_ari_mom
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I'd love fish, but it's not "simple" enough. Ends up being expensive if everyone does one. I'm the 3rd in the group to go. So I don't want to up the ante.. yet. maybe next time around.
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zuncompany
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2 rolls of baked gefilta and maybe some tomato sauce to bake it with won't run very much and its super simple.

I understand though :)
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hallie_ari_mom
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Rebbetzin
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The good gefilte fish that is packaged is not available on LI, (at least not HERE). And I am a super spoiled gefilte fish girl.. must be made from scratch or nothing.

I'm hoping the weather holds up and I can host outside, ala "Parenthood" style, where they eat outside on a dining room table. I am prepared. Of course, we all know, "you plan and G-d laughs" so my backup is that we eat normally at the dining room table while I arrange the tables to resemble a "chet". Problem, is that I had my carpet cleaned today (we had a flood) and I'd prefer to keep everyone outside. Not in and out, dragging mud in my new floor. Inside only, well, some of these kids resemble the Tazmanian Devil and will destroy everything I own.... so I'm praying for no rain.
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zuncompany
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Wow, seems like we have more access to stuff than you guys.
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npl
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Such a lovely idea!

When I was a kid we had three families with small kids from our shul who lived on our street. Wherever the kids ended up playing on shabbat afternoon, that family hosted seudat shlishit, but there was an unspoken rule that the same food would be served whoever hosted. It started because 2 yr olds would eat predictable things. Then it became a matter of principle that no-one should feel bad that they did not have such a fancy spread. Allowances were made if there were fancy leftovers, though!

I have a lot of fond memories of those days, even though I was 10+ years older than most of the kids! It definitely built strong connections between the families, which extended into making sheva brachos for the kids.

As for your immediate question - did anyone think of grape juice for the kids? And drinks (juice, soda, water?)
Can't think of anything else you might be missing.
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hallie_ari_mom
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Great thought.. I do have grape juice. I'll make sure to put it out.
We have different socio-economic situations within our group, so keeping it simple is best. One brings dessert, and another salad. The host does the entree (chicken), and veggies. Challah too. Wine brought by guests as well. And only 1 dessert, not 3.... the point is to get together, and not to outdo. One family lost a job this month. It's really hard out there and I don't ever want someone to feel like they can't do this. No fancy, no brisket, no fish or soup, just easy....... It may not be fully "shabbat" but it's workin' for us.
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zuncompany
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We don't do fish Barbie. Tev and Mo can't have and Tev is ana to ALL fish. I just noticed its the only thing really from a "traditional" Shabbos menu.
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npl
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I think the way you have it set up is so much more important than following the traditional menu - sure there is a spiritual significance to eating fish and red meat, but it's a nice custom, not an issue of breaking a Torah law by not eating it. Embarrassing someone, on the other hand, is a major issue in the Torah, especially embarrassing them in public. So, you actually have your priorities straight according to the halacha as I was taught it.
No need to feel like you are doing anything "wrong" in my book!
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Marion
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We rarely do fish...unless we're doing a dairy meal (lunch). We're lucky to get a main some weeks...Friday night it's kiddush/hamotzi, main, bed! Lunch we'll have kiddush/hamotzi, salatim, main w/ sides, and dessert.
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zuncompany
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Marion- we are the same. Especially with Shabbos coming in so late. The kids don't even eat with us anymore. They go lay down as soon as kiddish/hamotzi is over.

npl- I was never implying there was anything wrong. She asked for suggestions or thoughts. So, I mentioned fish. Thats all.
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hallie_ari_mom
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I never thought you were implying anything was wrong. :)
I prefer fish in general and would eat it everyday, but then Im really cooking 4 different meals.
I knew fish was traditional, but didn't know red meat was, or was spiritual.. is that just for Shabbat? My Rabbi's family only serves chicken. Some red meat in the chulent.... Maybe chicken as entree bc it is easier to get/less expensive?
I'm getting nervous... the weather is looking inclement for tomorrow evening. I had a flood in my house, and while Stanley Steemer did their best, I think I'll need to do more work on it... like getting a new pad under the carpet. Very upsetting. But now the kids HAVE to be in my den (no other play room)
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