How much food to order for an azkara

Start with the guests

Before you choose dishes, take a moment to list who is likely to come: close family, relatives who live far away, friends, neighbours, members of the community and people from the synagogue. Usually you cannot know the exact number, so think in terms of a range: the fewest people who might come, and the most.

Hard to estimate? Earlier family gatherings can help, for example how many people came to the shloshim or to last year's azkara. And if you meet at the synagogue after prayers, count the worshippers who stay as well.

The time of day matters too. A gathering at lunchtime or in the evening is usually a proper meal. A short gathering in the morning, after the visit to the grave, can make do with lighter refreshments.

A light meal or a full meal

The amount depends not only on the number of guests but also on the kind of meal. When everyone sits down to a full meal, with a starter, a main course and sides, each person eats from several dishes. When the food is served as refreshments, with guests standing, talking, coming and going, people eat less, mostly salads, breads and pastries.

Decide this as a family before you order, and write in the order notes which kind of meal you are planning. If you are not sure of the number of guests, write the range you have in mind there too. That way our team understands what you need when they get back to you.

How ordering on the site works

On the site you choose the dishes for the meal, and you enter the number of guests on the order page. It works in three steps:

1. Pick dishes from each category when you build an azkara menu: up to 6 salads, up to 2 starters, up to 2 main courses and up to 3 sides. There is no limit on rolls.
2. Go on to the order page, enter the number of guests and, if needed, add a note.
3. Send the order on WhatsApp. Our team gets back to you to confirm the order and the price.

The number of guests and your notes help the team understand the order. When they get back to you to confirm it, that is also the time to ask about amounts.

When you know the date in advance, choose a delivery date and time on the order page. When you decide on the day itself, the delivery arrives within 3 hours of ordering, on business days and hours. On Fridays and holiday eves the delivery arrives before Shabbat or the holiday begins, and we are closed on Shabbat and holidays.

A few practical tips

• Plan for people who arrive late. At an azkara guests come and go over time, and not everyone sits down to eat at once.
• Think of children and older guests. It helps to have some simple dishes on the table too, such as white rice or oven-baked potatoes.
• In the notes box on the order page, mention any allergies or food sensitivities, and any guests who do not eat fish or meat. If there is an allergy, also call us before you order.
• Not sure? Ask us by phone or on WhatsApp before you send the order.

What is usually served, and how to build a respectful meal, is explained in our guide on what to serve at an azkara. For the order itself and delivery, see our page on azkara catering.