Planning a simcha is expensive. Planning a simcha on a budget can be difficult. Families go to great lengths to put together affairs that are classy and elegant, yet affordable. And it all starts with the venue.
Fortunately, Congregation B’nai Shalom in West Orange has found the answer. The synagogue has rolled out affordable simcha packages in an attempt to entice families to keep their affairs local, rather than traveling to outlying areas to find less expensive venues.
These packages are in keeping with the synagogue’s recent efforts to provide an affordable, local simcha venue for the larger community. In 2015, in trying to bring in more rentals from outside the synagogue’s membership, the shul offered a drastically reduced price to rent their facility, which had the desired effect. However, they found that families were seeking a full-budget simcha package in a local venue. They did not want to have to travel an hour from home to find affordable simcha pricing. The synagogue decided to meet the needs of potential clients, from which these new packages were born.
The simcha packages were officially launched on November 1 and, as of November 7, two affairs had already been booked. Their “Tier 1 Wedding Package” is expected to be the most popular, with its $10,000 price tag for 200 guests, which includes use of the Legow Loggia for cocktails, oversized social hall for dinner and dancing, chapel for the chassan’s tisch and sanctuary for the chuppah. The package features a three-course meal and cocktail hour, bar station, chatan and kallah chairs, chuppah, centerpieces, decorative plants, lounge furniture and a three-hour photo-favor station with a CD of all photos taken. The only thing families need to provide is the music.
That “basic” package allows for a variety of upgrades, as well as additional options for other types of simchas including b’nai mitzvah. Upgrades can include a DJ, lighting, custom chocolate lollipops, party favors, game packages and professional photography. The basic package for bar and bat mitzvahs substitutes party games, including mini golf, basketball and air hockey for the chatan and kallah chairs and chuppah. Even the most expensive package does not exceed a $15,000 all-inclusive price, based on 200 guests.
Sol Pearlman of Staten Island was happy to discuss his family’s experience making a simcha at B’nai Shalom. “We were planning our son’s wedding and trying to balance finances. We wanted something really nice, but affordable at the same time. My mother-in-law had read in The Jewish Link about B’nai Shalom’s reduced rental cost and told us about it. Their pricing was affordable, so I took my wife, son and daughter-in-law to see it and we all thought it was gorgeous. We were fortunate to see an actual wedding in progress. And I loved that there was so much parking. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before. It’s the area’s best-kept secret.”
Pearlman continued, “Everyone we dealt with was a pleasure to work with. They went out of their way to make it a pleasant experience.”
The synagogue works with Make it Snappy event entertainment and E Gold Events, which provides Glatt Kosher catering under the supervision of Zushe Blech, to produce high-quality events at affordable prices. Said Pearlman, “I am Orthodox and the kashrut of the caterer was acceptable.”
Affairs can be booked at the family’s convenience; there are no specific days or times and no “blackout” dates. For families looking to make a beautiful simcha on a budget, please call Gary Rothschild, B’nai Shalom’s director of synagogue operations, at 973-731-0160 x202 or email [email protected].
By Jill Kirsch
