Originally appeared at JNS.org on July 2, 2026

Thousands of Jewish athletes from a record 43 countries gathered at Teddy Stadium to launch the “Jewish Olympics,” with moving tributes to hostages, wounded soldiers and Israel’s fallen.

Delegations of Jewish athletes from a record 43 countries entered a packed Teddy Stadium on Wednesday night to cheers from family members, fellow countrymen, Israelis from across society, government officials and a lineup of Israeli performers, officially opening the 22nd Maccabiah Games.

Some 3,000 athletes—from children to seniors and Paralympians—from five continents traveled to Israel for “Maccabiah 2026: More Than Ever!”—which was postponed from 2025 because of the war. They are joined by about 2,000 Israeli athletes competing in events across the country through July 13.

While Israel’s political leaders and dignitaries delivered brief remarks, the evening belonged to the athletes. The dominant theme—felt throughout the stadium and by millions watching on television—was Jewish unity and Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.

That message came through in musical performances, dance numbers, inspiring videos and commentary by hosts Michael HarPaz and Montana Tucker, who introduced each delegation with anecdotes highlighting the athletes’ journeys to Jerusalem.

Hosts Michael HarPaz and Montana Tucker welcome athletes from around the world as they entered Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Maccabiah Games, July 1, 2026. Photo by Sharon Altshul.

Determination to be here

The delegations entered alphabetically, from Argentina—with 272 athletes ages 13 to 85 following a journey of more than 24 hours—to Zimbabwe. Host nation Israel, with approximately 2,000 athletes, entered last to a thunderous ovation.

HarPaz and Tucker highlighted stories from many delegations. Australia’s participation remained uncertain until just 15 days before the Games. Austria has participated in every Maccabiah since 1936. Cuba brought 51 athletes, many of whom have made aliyah in recent years. Hungary’s delegation included an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. India, home to some 4,000 Jews among a population of 1.4 billion, sent a delegation, while Mexico arrived with 353 athletes, including three generations of one family. A father-and-son team from the Philippines switched from squash to table tennis simply to compete. Taiwan participated for the first time.

The United States, with about 900 athletes—the second-largest delegation after Israel—entered to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”

The United States team at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. Photo by Danny Maron/Flash90.

Celebration and remembrance

American singer Montana Tucker wearing an outfit adorned with flags from around the world at the opening of Maccabiah 2026, July 1, 2026. Credit: Maccabiah 2026.

The ceremony blended celebration with remembrance.

Athletes on the field and spectators in the stands witnessed the raising of the Israeli, Jerusalem and Maccabiah flags, the singing of “Hatikvah,” fireworks, musical performances, dance routines and tributes to Israel’s heroes. Audience members were encouraged to sing, dance and illuminate the stadium with their cellphones.

Among the evening’s performances, American singer, actress and influencer Montana Tucker debuted her new song, “We’re Not Strangers,” while wearing an outfit adorned with flags from around the world. 2018 Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta Barzilai and Israeli pop star Anna Zak performed a duet, while Eurovision 2026 runner-up Yuval Raphael also took the stage.

Israeli musician Idan Raichel performed with former hostage Daniella Gilboa, and Itay Levy appeared alongside dozens of dancers. Television host Assi Azar and dancer Anna Aronov co-hosted portions of the ceremony.

Eurovision runner-up Yuval Raphael takes the stage at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. Photo by Danny Maron/Flash90

Some of the evening’s most emotional moments included a video message from former hostage Edan Alexander, who returned to IDF service after spending 584 days in Hamas captivity; the entrance of the Maccabiah flag carried by family members of the 12 Druze children killed in the 2024 Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams; the traditional Yizkor memorial service; and the traditional torch procession led by Evyatar Zeituni, an IDF Paratroopers Brigade officer seriously wounded while defending Kibbutz Kissufim on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israeli Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur passed the torch to Olympic silver medalist Inbar Lanir, and together they lit the Maccabiah flame.

Athletes also recited the traditional Maccabiah oath—“Ani Nishbah” (“I swear”)—pledging to compete fairly and uphold the spirit of the Games.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara attend the opening ceremony of the 22nd Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026. Photo by Danny Maron/Flash90.
Danny Maron/Flash90

Leaders emphasize Jewish unity

IsraeliPresident Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Maccabiah leaders delivered brief remarks focused on Jewish unity. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar also attended.

“The energy at Teddy Stadium is electrifying,” Herzog said. “There is no doubt that Am Yisrael Chai (The Nation of Israel Lives).” He welcomed participants to their “home away from home” and spoke of partnership, determination and the need to confront rising antisemitism.

Netanyahu began his remarks in Hebrew before switching to English. “If you don’t know Hebrew, study it,” he told participants. “It is your country. We welcome you with open arms.”

Calling Jerusalem Israel’s “eternal and undivided capital” and asserting that the Jewish people are “one nation, one family with one destiny,” he urged Jews worldwide to stand proudly in the face of rising antisemitism.

“People respect only those who respect themselves,” he said. “In the face of antisemitism, stand tall! Say, ‘Yes, I am a Jew. I am proud to be a Jew.’ We will win. Am Yisrael Chai!”

Lion emphasized the bond between Israel and the Diaspora.

“I hope the Maccabiah will serve as a true bridge connecting brothers and sisters in the Diaspora to Israel,” he said. “The most important victory is that we are gathered together in Jerusalem.”

Maccabi World Union Chairman Amir Peled addressed participants by video, while Maccabiah World Union President Michael Siegal welcomed athletes and spectators to the Games.

“We are thrilled that the Games are taking place,” Siegal told JNS. “The fact that thousands of people have chosen to come to Israel at this moment is tremendously important for the connectivity of the Jewish people. To bring Israel what is considered a normal event is historic. And to celebrate sports, mindfulness and strength—we are ecstatic.”

Siegal and Herzog then jointly declared, “Light the torch,” initiating the ceremony’s official torch-lighting procession.

Olympic judoka Inbar Lanir and Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur lit the Maccabiah torch, symbolizing the opening of the 2026 Games, July 1, 2026. Credit: Maccabiah 2026.

Families reunite

Many spectators came to support relatives competing in the Games.

The Berman/Schwartzman family of Mexico City attends the opening ceremony of the 2026 Maccabiah in Jerusalem to support three generations of family members participating in tennis and soccer competitions, July 1, 2026. Photo by Howard Blas.

Sophia Cohen, 20, of Miami, attended with fellow students from Reichman University. Having attended five previous Maccabiahs with her family, she hoped to cheer on relatives competing for Venezuela.

“It is such a fun event,” she said. “You see Jews from all over the world. It’s our version of the Jewish Olympics.”

One cousin was unable to compete for Venezuela because of the war and the recent earthquake but instead played soccer for Spain.

Karla Berman of Mexico City came to cheer several family members. Her father, Jorge Berman, competed in the men’s 70-and-over tennis division, her husband Carlos Schwartzman played soccer and her 16-year-old daughter competed in her first Maccabiah.

“Our family is very sports-oriented and very Zionistic,” she said. “I think the Maccabiah, the State of Israel and Chabad are the three greatest movements of the Jewish people in modern times.”

The opening ceremony marked the official start of the Games, although some competitions began earlier in the day. The Maccabiah continues through July 13 with competitions in more than 40 sports across junior, open, masters and Paralympic divisions, along with community events including fun runs and Expo Maccabiah City in Tel Aviv.

The opening ceremony and sports competitions can be viewed on the Maccabiah 2026 website.

Read more

Originally appeared at jns.org on June 30, 2026

Founder Joseph Gitler told JNS that Israel’s largest food rescue organization has overcome shortages, security threats and disrupted supply chains while preparing for future emergencies.

For 23 years, Leket Israel has rescued surplus food and delivered it to Israelis in need. During nearly three years of war, however, the country’s leading food rescue organization has had to overcome unprecedented challenges to keep nutritious food flowing to hundreds of thousands of people.

Foreign agricultural workers left the country, farms came under missile fire, restaurants and event halls closed, and deliveries into conflict zones became increasingly difficult. Yet Leket Israel continued to expand its operations, adapting to rapidly changing conditions.

In an interview with JNS at the end of June, Joseph Gitler, the organization’s founder and chairman, reflected on Leket’s evolution, the challenges of operating during wartime and the lessons learned as Israel prepares for future emergencies.

From hotel breakfasts to a national organization

When Gitler made aliyah from New York in 2000, he was struck by the amount of untouched food left over at Israeli hotel breakfasts while many Israelis struggled with food insecurity.

He set out to rescue that surplus food and distribute it to those in need.

“Hotels, catering halls, restaurants and army bases were so open” to donating surplus food, Gitler recalled. “They weren’t concerned about legal liability or tax deductions—they saw people suffering and thought, ‘We have this asset—what the heck!’”

In 2003, Gitler founded Table to Table, the precursor to Leket Israel, to rescue nutritious surplus food, reduce food waste and combat food insecurity.

The name “Leket” comes from the biblical commandments in Leviticus 19:9 and 23:22 instructing farmers to leave the corners of their fields and the gleanings of their harvest for the poor and the stranger.

Gitler initially transported rescued meals from catering halls and corporate cafeterias in his Subaru, storing them in refrigerators lining his driveway before local nonprofits distributed them to families in need.

Over the next two decades, the organization expanded steadily, opening warehouses, logistics centers and regional operations while recruiting thousands of volunteers from Israel and abroad.

Leket Israel volunteers on a farm in Israel, 2026. Credit: Leket Israel.

Adapting to wartime

Gitler emphasized that Leket is not an emergency relief organization.

“We are a well-established nonprofit that works day in and day out so healthy, nutritious food doesn’t go to waste and gets into the hands and mouths of those who need it,” he said.

“But in Israel, emergency situations arise where all charitable agencies need to change and adapt.”

Following the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, many of Leket’s traditional food sources suddenly disappeared.

“We had fewer sources of food—from farms, army bases and event halls,” Gitler said. “Most of our sources dried up because it was too dangerous, there was damage, there were no clients, and the army was preparing to fight.”

Rather than reducing services, Leket expanded them.

“We had to do what we had to do,” Gitler said.

That included purchasing vegetables and prepared meals to replace food that was no longer available through donations.

“We don’t like to buy food—but we did,” he said. “If there is no food, you hope your donor base comes through. It is much more expensive than getting it for free.”

Leket launched additional emergency programs as many partner organizations were unable to operate and vulnerable populations, including elderly Israelis, could no longer access meal programs.

At the same time, the organization shifted some of its focus to supporting Israeli farmers, particularly those in communities bordering Gaza and in the north.

“We are not the government, but we have relationships with thousands of farmers who couldn’t sell their crops,” Gitler said. “We raised money for grants to replace equipment and for loans. We are trying to do our part to show goodwill to the farmers.”

Leket also arranged and funded buses to transport volunteers to farms needing help with harvesting, planting and weeding.

“Since November 2023, we have been sending buses with groups of volunteers to any farmer who says they need help,” Gitler said.

Earlier in the war, Leket was sending about 50 buses each week. Today, that number has stabilized at 20 to 25 weekly as approximately 80% of foreign agricultural workers have returned, although Palestinian laborers have not.

Gitler said one encouraging development has been the growing number of older Israelis volunteering on farms.

“It has been really positive seeing how everyone has found a place to volunteer since Oct. 7,” he said.

Preparing for the next emergency

Even as operations return closer to normal, Leket is planning for future crises.

“We are now working to have 100,000 frozen and dried meals in a stockpile,” Gitler said.

The organization is also purchasing digital debit cards, recognizing that distributing food during wartime is not always practical.

Leket’s 2025 operations included 170 employees, 63 food rescue vehicles and some 120,000 volunteers. Through 346 nonprofit partner agencies, the organization delivers food to approximately 470,000 Israelis in need every week while rescuing nearly 34,000 tons of food annually.

More information on Leket is available on its website.

Read more

Originally appeared at JNS.org on on June 28, 2026

From apartments to synagogues, Jerusalem’s young adults are reinventing kiddush as a social gathering that fits modern life.

Sixty delegates attending the three-day JNS International Policy Summit on June 21-23 toured Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, where they witnessed firsthand how Israeli medical innovation is helping wounded soldiers and civilians recover physically and emotionally while driving the development of cutting-edge healthcare technologies.

The delegation visited Sheba’s hydrotherapy department, the Immersive Rehabilitation Room and the ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate) Center for Digital Innovation, where doctors and researchers showcased advances developed at what Newsweek ranks as the world’s seventh-best hospital.

Water as medicine

“For me, water is medicine,” said Dr. Caroline Barmatz, who has spent 30 years at Sheba and heads its Hydrotherapy Department.

Barmatz introduced the group to Sheba’s three hydrotherapy pools and an ice bath, which together treat more than 30,000 patients annually. The aquatic therapies are used for wounded soldiers, trauma survivors, premature babies and elderly patients. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the department has cared for more than 300 wounded soldiers and civilians.

Visitors watched patients undergoing treatment while one patient’s therapy dog waited attentively beside the pool.

“Therapy dogs are trained to look after their masters,” Barmatz said with a smile. “One time, a dog saw his master very relaxed and thought he drowned and he jumped in to the pool. The therapist needed to save both!”

She described how the department has adapted to the influx of wounded soldiers, including developing more physically demanding rehabilitation programs for highly fit patients.

“What happens to a person with a gunshot and glass wounds? How soon can we get him into the pool?” she asked, noting that one soldier had begun hydrotherapy just 18 days after surgery.

Barmatz demonstrated adjustable therapy pools equipped with treadmills that reduce the amount of body weight patients must bear during rehabilitation, as well as virtual reality systems that incorporate activities such as catching a ball or driving a car into therapy sessions.

She also pointed to an overhead obstacle course designed specifically for recovering soldiers.

“We built Ninja equipment because what we had wasn’t enough for these guys with such strong arms and legs!” she said.

The department’s ice baths, which expose patients to temperatures ranging from 12 to 3 degrees Celsius, have also become increasingly popular.

“Since Oct. 7, more soldiers want it—there is not enough research—we need more,” Barmatz said. Some soldiers, she added, seek out the ice baths “to feel they can defeat their fears. They want to spend five minutes at 3 degrees!”

Barmatz admitted she is not an avid swimmer herself. “I like to look at the water as medicine, not sport!”

Among those visibly impressed was Dr. Daryl Temkin, a psychologist who made aliyah from Los Angeles just over a year ago.

Having previously worked with stroke patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Temkin said rehabilitation is “the story of hope and reinstilling hope.”

“They don’t have anything there like this,” he said.

Maya Erhlich demonstrates the various uses of the immersion room at Sheba Medical Center, June 24, 2026. Photo by Howard Blas.

Delegates also toured Sheba’s Immersive Rehabilitation Room, where rehabilitation psychologist Maya Ehrlich, the innovation coordinator at Sheba’s Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital, demonstrated how interactive projection technology helps patients regain cognitive and physical abilities.

The room transforms into environments such as grocery stores and banks, allowing patients to practice real-world tasks while improving memory, balance and coordination.

“We saw the potential for use in rehabilitation—it is interactive and fun and the software allows us to create our own scenarios,” Ehrlich said.

She noted that while the project was already under development before Oct. 7, the war accelerated its implementation.

“The effects of Oct. 7 and the subsequent war did help us push this project forward much faster,” she said. “We have lots of young soldiers injured in the war that benefit from this room as it is now starting to be part of their rehab.”

Angie Segal, media liaison for the South African Zionist Federation, said the immersive rehabilitation room left the greatest impression.

“More than any technology or medical breakthrough, it was the Immersive Rehabilitation room that I couldn’t stop thinking about,” she said. “After watching my own father struggle through desperately needed physical and cognitive rehabilitation a year ago, I found myself wondering how different his journey—and perhaps even his outcome—might have been if he had been treated in a place like this.”

A delegation of guests attending the JNS International Policy Summit visits Sheba Medical Center, June 24, 2026. Credit: Sheba Medical Center.

Rehabilitation through innovation

The tour concluded at Sheba’s ARC Center for Digital Innovation, where delegates learned how clinicians are transforming frontline medical challenges into new technologies.

Dr. Karny Ilan, a surgical resident and CEO and co-founder of health-tech startup Feminai, demonstrated a wearable breast cancer screening patch that is expected to enter clinical trials soon. The device uses wearable sensors and artificial intelligence to detect physiological changes associated with breast tissue density and blood flow.ARV

Delegates praised the innovations they had seen throughout the day and left with a deeper appreciation of Israel’s medical ingenuity and resilience as the country continues recovering from nearly three years of war.

; ;; ; ; ; ; ;

Read more

Originally appeared as a cover story in Jerusalem Post’s In Jerusalem Magazine, on June 19, 2026

From apartments to synagogues, Jerusalem’s young adults are reinventing kiddush as a social gathering that fits modern life.

For young Jerusalemites, mainly olim, the Shabbat kiddush experience is evolving from the in-shul “cholent and herring” of their grandfathers into an important social function.

The kiddush serves as an essential weekly “hub” for busy young professionals who are creatively finding post-synagogue, pre-lunch ways to see friends, have a nibble, drink a l’chaim, and maybe even learn a little Torah.

Max Koffler, who has been working in his start-up and serving in milium since completing college five years ago, acknowledged that “the kiddush [itself] is not something new at all.” He shared his observations on how it has changed for him over the years.

“From a young age, after shul, you kibbitz and schmooze at kiddush. In college, it becomes a kiddush at Hillel or people’s apartments or houses before lunch, and then in Israel, especially in Jerusalem, where there isn’t one centralized shul where everybody goes to all the time, it is a fun way to see your friends. And it is a little more distributed and dispersed than places like Tel Aviv. It is a great time to hang out.

“People are so busy during the week. You don’t necessarily have time to schmooze with all of your friends in one place. You get coffee here and there, but for five or 10 friends all at once who don’t necessarily live near each other, kiddush is a good chance to hang.

‘L’chaims’ add good cheer. (credit: Illustrative; Shutterstock)

“It is at different apartments. I host sometimes; friends host sometimes. It is usually an open-house format for people to mingle. We usually have the [standard] kiddush nosh – cholent, deli roll, kugel, desserts and, of course, l’chaims.”

Interviews with young, mostly observant Jerusalemites reveal the important role “the kiddush” plays in their lives as single or young married 20- and 30-somethings.

Avi Levisohn, 28, a rabbinical student, and his wife, Judith, host a kiddush in their home every other Shabbat. “It is kind of an open secret – those who know, know – and you can bring a friend.”

Their kiddush regularly includes a learning component. To date, the Levisohns have taught about the weekly haftarah, and are currently studying the biblical Book of Ruth with friends. 

They love the after-shul time slot for such kiddush get-togethers: “It is the best time to do anything social. People have been sitting in shul, they haven’t done anything yet and have lots of social energy,” he said. He also reported that it is a “very concentrated window.”

“It is 45 minutes, everyone is free, and they can all come at the same time. Otherwise, you can’t corral people to come in such a short window,” he added.

Levisohn noted that they tried hosting what is traditionally known as seuda shlishit or shaleshudes (third Shabbat meal), the late-afternoon time between Mincha and Maariv. 

Jerusalemites are putting down their phones and seizing a new slot on Shabbat to socialize. (credit: Illustrative; Shutterstock)

“People are tired after lunch,” he observed. Getting everyone there at the same time is unpredictable given the different times lunch ends, and some choose to take walks, naps, or see other friends.

Levisohn typically sends a WhatsApp to his friends every other week, reminding them of the Shabbat gathering. He and his wife prepare “cholent, some herring, or cookies,” and guests bring food as well. The couple co-lead the learning. Fifteen males and females attend on a given week.

“It is a really easy way to see a lot of people without a lot of effort and commitment – both as a host and as a guest!” he said.

Chicken poppers are a fun food to find at your kiddush table. (credit: Illustrative; Shutterstock)

Shlomo Eli Schweitzer, 27, a Jerusalem resident who between his job in cybersecurity and his IDF reserve duty, “likes to volunteer with JLIC,” where he organizes the shul kiddush that takes place after prayer services each week.

JLIC, a program of the OU that typically serves students on college campuses in the US and Israel, as well as recent graduates and young professionals, hosts a minyan each week in Jerusalem. It mostly serves 20- and 30-somethings. Schweitzer referred to his JLIC group as “Jewish Life in the City.”

Schweitzer proudly described the range of kiddushes held each week after services, including many that have themes: “We have done cholent and chicken fingers, and other times wine and cheese.”

He playfully described a recent kiddush in the park for nearly 100 people on the Shabbat after Shavuot. “It was the Shlomo Eli is Going to Heaven Kiddush!”

He explained that it was in honor of the third couple he set up for marriage – and the belief that you automatically have a “seat” in heaven after the third successful shidduch.

While post-shul JLIC kiddushes are slightly different in nature from “at home” kiddushes, they serve the same function.

“It gives people the opportunity to spend time and be with friends – and you don’t have to rely on being invited,” Schweitzer said. He also found that people are a more captive audience after shul and would not likely attend in the afternoon if offered then.

Popular kiddush foods

Popular kiddush foods include kugel and schnitzel, but he is particularly proud of a recent kiddush which consisted of poke bowls: “Competitions are also popular – people have made cookies or cakes, or challah and dips, chicken poppers [bite-sized breaded or battered chicken] or cheesecake – and people vote on which ones are the best!”

Miriam Blum is very involved with the Nadiv Minyan, a popular independent minyan for young adults in their 20s and 30s, that meets at the Ohel Nechama Synagogue. She reported that they attract 100-200 young people each week, including Anglos and young Israelis – many of them the children of English-speaking olim.

Blum sets up the shul kiddush every week and reported, “I want it to be a social scene” when people arrive for kiddush.

While her minyan is “one popular hub” for young adults, Blum is pleased there are “different hubs and choices one can go to.” She noted that there are “other hubs” which host people in the “post-shul, pre-12:30, 1 p.m. lunch” slot.

“Some host games and schmoozing. They help expand people’s circles. It is really cool!” she said.

For Jerusalemites, there is an increasing number of fun ways to meet nice people in and out of synagogue, build community, and enjoy tasty food – all before lunch is served – and with plenty of time to get in a nap on those long summer Shabbats.

Chances are, your zaide wouldn’t recognize these kiddushes – but he would be very proud!

Dena Dworin of Rassco has been known to throw a kiddush or two. (credit: Dena Dworin)

Yes, you can host a kiddush

A simple kiddush really is the perfect way to host without making the rest of your week toast (har har). Being in my 40s – unlike the creative youngsters interviewed – I’m busy enough to appreciate what a great outlet it could be.

Just how do I know this? Because my former neighbor and continued good friend Dena Dworin introduced me to the art, having me over numerous times at her casa for a pre-Shabbat lunch soiree with flair and ease.

Raised in Chicago, she’s lived in Jerusalem for 13 years – first in the super-social neighborhood of Katamon and now in the emerging hotspot of Rassco (on Katamon’s edges). Dena was kind enough to enlighten us on how to throw together a kiddush with a minimum of stress, using what you have in your kitchen, and perhaps a quick jaunt to the makolet.

Dena’s baked goods: chocolate chip cookies. (credit: Dena Dworin)

“The beauty of a kiddush is you’re not as limited,” Dena shares. “You can invite more people and different social circles, and they can circulate freely.”

“If you have a special occasion, like moving into a new apartment, saying goodbye to an old one, welcoming a visiting guest, an aliyahversary or a yahrtzeit, a kiddush strikes the perfect balance,” she points out. And, if you’re cheekily trying to set up a potential couple, you can invite them to meet naturally!

Here are some of her tips for a fun and fancy-free gathering:

• People love bite-sized morsels like cookies and brownies. However, while Dena is an amazing baker (in fact, I am going to ask her for a chocolate chip mug cake after this interview), not everyone is. It’s totally acceptable to buy something sweet at Duvshanit or the supermarket.

• To contrast, it’s nice to have something healthy – vegetables with tehina or seasonal fruit.

• A must-have is coffee (and for those under the King’s banner, tea), so set up that urn and put out the Taster’s Choice. Being lactose intolerant, I ask: Is soy/oat milk a must? Jury is out, she says, so think about who’s coming.

• Round it out with something crunchy like Bamba, pretzels, or Doritos.

• Make sure to have a few drink options – wine/grape juice and soda/cola.

• In the summer, she stresses, A/C is a must.

Dena’s baked goods: Chocolate truffles. (credit: Dena Dworin)

• Keep the food self-contained – chips as opposed to pistachios with shells – for a minimum of mess.

• Get some pretty, disposable plates/napkins/cups, and you’re in business!

Unlike at a meal, when you’re bringing out multiple courses, Dena notes, once you put everything out, you’re all set. So get out there and enjoy your guests!

Read more