how do you plan a bar mitzvah party

How to Plan a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Party

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What prayers are said at a bar mitzvah?

Prayer. There is a blessing in our tradition said as part of maturation and individuation. The Baruch She’ptarani blessings, said by parents, formally releases the obligation of children from the responsibility of parents. This blessing is said as part of the bar mitzvah, or in the case of daughters, at the wedding, in traditional settings.

What does it mean to have a bar mitzvah?

Bar mitzvah translates to “son of the commandment.” It is the coming of age for Jewish boys. This occurs when a Jewish boy turns 13. He becomes accountable for his actions and the commandments of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible. After becoming a bar mitzvah, a Jewish boy can partake in all the Jewish rituals.

How to plan a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah party?

• Talk to friends who’ve already planned a Bar or Bat Mitzvah for ideas, tips and contacts. • Formulate a realistic budget so you can decide where you want to spend your money. • Begin looking at venues. If you find a place you like, ask whether you can put it on a soft hold with a written agreement giving you the first right to that date.

How to prepare a boy for bar mitzvah?

Make sure to include your child in the process of budgeting time, allowing him or her to set priorities and measurable goals. The simplest and most often overlooked method to prepare your child for the bar/bat mitzvah service is to make a habit of attending services together at least once a month, starting two years before the bar/bat mitzvah.

What do you do at a bar mitzvah party?

The bar mitzvah ceremony is performed by a Rabbi who recites some prayers and asks some questions about faith. Then everybody celebrates with food, drinks, music and dancing! That being said, there are many aspects of preparing for a bar mitzvah that you should know about before your son has one.

What is the average cost of a bar mitzvah?

According to this website, the average cost is between $40,362 and $67,270. They also break it down by number of guests, because adding a single guest could add between $117 and $143 to the overall cost of your event.

How far in advance do you plan a bar mitzvah?

Many synagogues assign dates two, three, or even four years in advance. So, somewhere around the child's 10th birthday, the family, hopefully, secured their date and started talking about the Torah reading, mitzvah project, and ideas for the event.

What food is served at a bar mitzvah?

Popular items include a mirrored display of lox, whitefish, kippered salmon, pickled herring and gefilte fish; a salad of baby Bibb lettuce with fresh herb/champagne vinaigrette; and entree choices such as filet of salmon or sliced Chateaubriand with bordelaise sauce.

Is alcohol served at a bar mitzvah?

A Bar Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish men when they reach the age of 13. Like many celebratory Jewish events and rituals, alcohol is part of the Bar Mitzvah and is even considered to be a gift of joy.

How do I cater a bar mitzvah on a budget?

Choose Buffet Over a Sit-Down Meal When planned properly, buffet meals cost less per person because they do not require a large standby staff. You can also limit the plate sizes to meet the food portion requirements and offer a wider variety of options than a sit-down meal.

What do ladies wear to a bar mitzvah?

Women should wear a modest dress or formal pantsuit. Avoid anything that shows a lot cleavage or leg. Bare shoulders should be covered with a shawl or bolero jacket.

What's a good bar mitzvah gift?

Traditional Bar Mitzvah gifts often include a ritually significant amount of money, educational books, Jewish ritual items or a cookbook that celebrates Jewish cooking. You can also take a more personalized slant by buying the teen something to foster their hobbies and passions.

What do I need for a bar mitzvah?

Men are typically expected to wear a suit or slacks and a tie. Women should wear a modest dress or formal pantsuit.

How do you accept a bar mitzvah invitation?

Write a brief note of thanks at the bottom of the card. Something simple such as, "Thank you for inviting us! We are delighted to celebrate Rachel's Bat Mitzvah" is sufficient. Mail the RSVP note no later than two days of receiving the invitation or whenever you know the number attending.

What does the number 18 signify in Judaism?

As a result, 18 is a popular number that represents good luck. At weddings, bar mitzvahs, and when making honorary donations, Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life” or luck.

What is Kiddush luncheon at a bar mitzvahs?

What is a Kiddush Luncheon? A Kiddush Luncheon is an opportunity to gather with friends and family immediately following your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah service and do something very Jewish–eat!

How much money do you give for a bat mitzvah 2021?

For a teen who's attending a peer's bar or bat mitzvah, $36, $54 or $78 are all pretty standard bar mitzvah gift amounts. Exactly how much a young person decides to give will generally reflect their financial means and how close they are to the guest of honor.

How much do bat mitzvah invitations cost?

Our starting prices for Mitzvah invitations are approximately $21 per set (an example of a set would be invitation, rsvp card and envelope, mailer envelope with guest addressing, design inside envelope, etc.), while our average client spends $25+ per set.

10 - 12 months before

Research food menu ideas Make sure your child’s favourite dish is on the menu.

4 - 6 months before

Order invitations Don’t forget envelopes! Sometimes people opt to use the same designer for their menu and place cards.

1 month before

Review the guest list and call guests that haven’t RSVP’d Give them a ring and remind them your big day is coming up.

1 week before

Finalize transportation Remember to communicate time, place, vehicles and if there are any guests with special needs.

1 day before

Drop off decor to the venue (s) Drop off place cards, menus, favours, the guest book, and any other items to your venue.

Pro tip

Access and make your own copy of The Bash's FREE Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning Worksheet to plan your budget and keep track of your progress.

Select a Date

Like any big event, you need to start with a date on the calendar. Since it is necessary to also schedule this with your synagogue, it may be necessary to plan for this date even years in advance of the actual event.

Decide on the Type of Celebration

The next thing to consider is the type of party you want to host. Will this be a part for kids only, the friends of the celebrated? Do you want a party that includes family and friends?

Consider a Theme

The theme goes hand in hand with the type of celebration you wish to have. It’s a fun idea to create a theme for your party. It will give you a focus on food, music, activities, and even how to dress for the celebration.

Venue and Food

Soon after thinking through these decisions, you will want to seek out a venue for your celebration. If you opt for an evening event, you will need to plan even further out, since venues book more quickly for evening events.

Party Entertainment

You want your Bar Mitzvah celebration to be memorable and the entertainment you select will be key in helping that happen. There is nothing like getting all of your guests involved in the celebration.

Invitations

Finally, you need to get all your guests to your party. Consider invitations that help to show your guests what type of party your hosting. Will they be formal or festive? Show your guests your theme through the invites too.

Planning the Perfect Bar Mitzvah Party

A Bar Mitzvah party is such an important milestone in a Jewish child’s life. It is worthy of a big party and celebration. Use these tips to begin planning this momentous occasion and get ready for a big, fun time.

How to prepare for a bar mitzvah?

1. Contact a synagogue or temple when your child is less than ten years old. Learn about the process and the timeframe required to prepare your child for the event. Formal bar/bat mitzvah lessons usually begin one year prior to the scheduled date. 2.

How long does it take to plan a bar mitzvah?

It’s 13 years in the making and it takes planning, planning, and more planning! Organization is the key to a memorable bar/bat mitzvah celebration, and planning can actually get underway as early as three years before the actual date. And whether you select a simple reception to celebrate your child’s passage into the rites ...

What does "mitz vah" mean?

Pronounced: MITZ-vuh or meetz-VAH, Origin: Hebrew, commandment, also used to mean good deed. lies with the child and his or her tutor. Aside from that, planning may require arranging the ceremony with the synagogue, purchasing a few kippot, printing up a guide for guests, and preparing some remarks.

How Is a Bar Mitzvah Celebrated?

From time immemorial, Jewish custom has been to mark this milestone with a synagogue ceremony welcoming the bar mitzvah boy to the world of Jewish adulthood and initiating him in the opportunities and responsibilities that come along with his new status.

What is an aliyah?

The Aliyah. Getting an aliyah by the Torah (Credit: Serraf Studio) When the Torah is publicly read in the synagogue (on Shabbat, Monday and Thursday mornings, holidays and fast days), congregants are called up for an aliyah: the honor of reciting one of the blessings over the Torah.

How many mitzvahs are there in the Torah?

The Torah contains 613 mitzvahs —rather an overwhelming prospect for the bar mitzvah boy. What better way to prepare to observe them than by taking one mitzvah and making it his own? For a “mitzvah project,” the boy researches one mitzvah in depth so that, when the time comes, he is able to observe it to the fullest.

Why is a bar mitzvah important?

A bar mitzvah is not just a once in a lifetime event, rather it’s an important link in a continuous chain of religious and spiritual experiences. Therefore the most important aspect of the bar mitzvah is not the party or the performance, but the impact and long term effect this experience will have on the young man’s identity as a Jew. The preparations for the bar mitzvah should reflect this focus and not be dominated by less important matters.

What is a bar mitzvah?

Bar Mitzvah in Short. Bar mitzvah is Hebrew for “son of commandment.”. When a Jewish boy turns 13, he has all the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. From that date, he will wear tefillin on a daily basis, participate in synagogue services and take his place in the Jewish community.

Where do bar mitzvah boys give speeches?

A Bar Mitzvah boy giving a speech (Serraf Studio) It’s customary for the bar mitzvah boy to deliver a speech, either in the synagogue after the Torah reading or at the reception that follows.

Why do Jews wear tefillin?

The tefillin are worn on the head and on the arm, close to the heart, as a reminder that we must harness our intellect, emotions and actions in the service of G‑d. Jews have lovingly and devotedly performed this mitzvah for over 3,000 years, exactly as we perform it today.

How much of your budget should you reserve for tips?

You should reserve about 1% of your budget for tips and unexpected fees that may pop up, just to be safe.

How much of your budget should be spent on stationery?

Invitations are essential, and then there are fun extras like menus, place cards and thank you cards. Stationery will take up around 3% of your overall budget.

Is an event planner essential for a Bar Bat Mitzvah?

Event planner/designer: A planner isn’t essential, but they’re well worth the expense because they tackle most of the bar bat mitzvah planning for you and take care of day-of coordination, so you can relax and enjoy the celebration. An event planner will typically take 5.5% of your budget.

Can you have a Kiddush luncheon and a party?

If you plan to have BOTH a Kiddush luncheon and a party, then add another venue rental fee to your cost estimate. Hosting a Kiddush luncheon and a party, you'll need to increase the food and service budget.