Shacharit – Breakfast Refreshments Pilot Project

While we have been thrilled to welcome back the bagel to Holy Blossom Temple after a pandemic hiatus, it has become clear that bagels are not a very popular everyday breakfast choice in 2022. Since Shacharit breakfast was re-introduced as food was brought back to congregational life, we have been trying to find the balance of providing breakfast after morning services and using resources efficiently to minimize waste. Sadly, due to COVID protocols, it is no longer an option to donate left-over food to worthy organizations when food has been opened by others first.   We want to make sure the offerings are being enjoyed by all who attend services in person.

After informal consultation with some of our regular Shacharit attendees, we started a Pilot Project with the intent to replace the Bagel Breakfast with a healthy nourishing “lite bite”. Offerings include some combination of individual yogurt, mini muffins, and fruit (i.e. clementines, bananas, apples).   Coffee and tea continue to be a staple. So far, the new breakfast refreshments have been appreciated and are being enjoyed by those who partake. You’ll note that many of these items also have more longevity, which will help to produce less waste over time.

Many families choose to mark the yahrzeit of a loved one by sponsoring the Shacharit breakfast – thank you! Please note that our full or enhanced Bagel Breakfast will be provided when sponsored, and we will do our best to share sponsored dates ahead of time through Shacharit announcements so that more service goers are encouraged to attend in-person and lend much-needed moral support to the sponsoring family. We hope that by moving away from the everyday bagel, bagels will become more exciting when they appear from time to time.

We encourage everyone who is interested to join in person for Shacharit when you can and as you feel comfortable. Joining a service online remains a great alternative for anyone who can’t make it in the flesh, but part of the experience that makes Shacharit and all worship services so meaningful is the connection made between people and the support that comes along with standing by each other both literally and figuratively. Shacharit is a wonderful experience at Holy Blossom Temple because of the warm and dedicated group of Temple members who are welcoming to all.

We hope you enjoy the new breakfast lite bite. Breakfast refreshments are available after Shacharit services near the Holy Grounds café, so you can enjoy each other’s company and a quick bite in the atrium. A word of thanks to our dedicated Shacharit Service Leaders, we truly appreciate all your efforts in providing meaningful daily morning services to our congregation – thank you.