What to buy for a Yom Kippur celebration

A Yom Kippur celebration needs more than food for the break-fast meal. Plan for prayer materials, serving equipment, seating, clear signage and reliable lighting, especially if guests will stay into the evening. Count tableware and drinks from your confirmed guest list, then add a small reserve for unexpected attendees. This checklist also covers items that are easy to overlook, such as soup serving utensils, microphone supports, extension cords and information materials.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Tableclothsqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Soup spoonsqty 60

Kitchen

Soup kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6
Bread knivesqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pouring jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Battery lanternsqty 6
LED candlesqty 12

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name card holdersqty 60

Printed materials

Prayer booksqty 60
Program leafletsqty 70
Attendance listsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Trash bag holdersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Still mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Grape juice - 8 liter
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Bagels - 70 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Cream cheese - 5 kilogram
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Leeks - 2 kilograms
- Celery - 1 kilogram
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Vegetable broth - 8 liters
- Vermicelli - 1 kilogram
- Parsley - 6 bunches
- Dill - 4 bunches
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Lemon juice - 1 liter
- Crackers - 10 packs
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Plan tableware for every confirmed guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 dinner plates, soup bowls, dessert plates, glasses and cutlery sets.
For a break-fast meal, allow about 2 cups of soup per person and prepare 10% extra. Check that you have enough soup kettles, soup spoons, serving spoons and trays before shopping.
Buy or prepare drinks for the full gathering, not only the meal. Chill what should be served cold several hours ahead, and use thermos flasks or pouring jugs for coffee and hot drinks.
Reserve one prayer book for each participant and print extra program leaflets and name cards. A practical buffer is 10% above the confirmed attendance, so 50 guests requires 55 copies.
Test the sound system and lighting before guests arrive. Bring at least two extension cords and one power strip, and keep battery lanterns or LED candles available if the room becomes dim.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a Yom Kippur break-fast?: Plan soup, bread with toppings, fruit and drinks as the core meal. For quantities, allow about 2 cups of soup and 2 to 3 slices of bread per person, plus 10% extra for late additions.
How many prayer books should I prepare for Yom Kippur?: Prepare one prayer book per participant and add 10% spare copies. If 50 people are expected, collect 55 prayer books so damaged, missing or unexpected copies do not cause a shortage.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Yom Kippur celebration?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and add 10%. For 50 guests, prepare 55 dinner plates, soup bowls, dessert plates and glasses, with cutlery sets for the same number.
When should I buy and prepare items for Yom Kippur?: Complete shopping and confirm borrowed or reserved equipment at least 2 days before the event. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive, and set up the prayer room, tables and sound system before the meal preparation begins.

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