How to Select Food for a Bris

A bris wouldn't be a true Jewish ceremony without being followed by food and celebration with friends and family. In fact, the Talmud commands parents to celebrate the bris with a meal! Post-bris parties can range from wine and challah to a lavish spread, making it easy to throw a fun party within your budget.

Things You'll Need

• Deli meats, cheeses and rye bread to make your own sandwiches
• Drinks such as red wine and grape juice
• Fruit
• Menus from local bakeries and caterers
• Baking supplies for challah recipe from Prepared Pantry

Instructions

Select Store-Bought Food for a Bris

1. Purchase red wine and grape juice for your event. Red wine is a Kaddish staple, and it's also a great accompaniment to any meal. Jewish children are often served grape juice in lieu of wine.

2. Select store-bought challah if you prefer not to make your own. Many supermarkets carry challah breads, especially in areas with large Jewish populations. If you can't find any there, visit the nearest kosher bakery or kosher supermarket.

3. Order food for your celebration from a local caterer. Appetizers are not necessary unless you're only planning a small meal. If some of your guests keep kosher, order foods that fall under the Kashrut, or the Jewish dietary rules. Read more about these rules at the Judaism 101 Web site (see Resources below).

Make Food for a Bris

1. Try making your own challah using the recipe from Prepared Pantry (see Resources below). Once the dough is mixed, consider allowing your children to help you braid the dough. Smaller children will love attempting their own challahs for the party if you give them a small bit of dough.

2. Select deli meats, cheeses and rye bread for a lunchtime celebration. You can make the sandwiches before the event and complement them with a homemade fruit salad for a simple yet healthy meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to have plenty of chairs and scattered cocktail tables on hand for the party. Providing different places to sit, instead of asking guests to sit around a dining room table, will encourage people to mingle.

• Prepare more than one room in your home for guests to mingle in if the party is a big one. Guests enjoy spreading out to eat and chat with others.

• Some people don't enjoy ethnic foods, so if you choose an exotic spread, make sure there are still plenty of basic crowd-pleasers like salad and challah.