| If you're getting ready to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah, | | | | celebration if you believe everything you see on |
| then now is the time to begin reviewing some of | | | | television. However, that's not always the case. |
| those etiquette issues associated with the big | | | | Gifts are a customary part of the event but they |
| event. While some of these concepts may be | | | | do not need to be elaborate and there are no |
| familiar territory, most of them should be | | | | pre-determined rules for what should be |
| reviewed before you send out Bar Mitzvah | | | | purchased. |
| Invitations Cards to everyone you know. Plus, | | | | When you send out the mitzvah card, be sure to |
| you may need to know the information to help | | | | include your contact information so guests can |
| your other guests. | | | | contact you with questions about what to |
| Mitzvah Party 101 | | | | purchase for your son or daughter. If you're not |
| The purpose behind those bar mitzvah cards or | | | | sure how to respond, cash gifts, savings bonds, |
| bat mitzvah invitations may be common | | | | and gift certificates are usually very nice presents. |
| knowledge to you but it may not be so clear to | | | | Often these are given in multiples of 18 because |
| some of your guests. You may want to explain | | | | of the number's significance to the Jewish |
| to them that this event can best be classified as | | | | community. However, nearly any gift that would |
| a rite of passage. Jewish boys and girls embark | | | | be appropriate for a child of this age would make |
| on this journey when they turn 13. However, the | | | | an excellent event. |
| specific date of the event can vary depending on | | | | The Bar Mitzvah Wording on Invitations |
| how long the child's religious education takes to | | | | The only requirement for the invitation is that you |
| complete. | | | | include the child's name, as well as the date and |
| Generally, there are two parts of a party: the | | | | location for the invitations religious portion of the |
| synagogue portion and the reception. While there | | | | event. It is customary to invite friends and family |
| are differences, the synagogue portion of the | | | | members to both parts of the event. However, |
| event will usually involve the child reciting a portion | | | | non-Jewish guests may feel more comfortable |
| of the Torah. The amount recited will depend on | | | | only attending the reception. That doesn't mean |
| the traditions of your particular synagogue. If you | | | | you shouldn't extend an invitation to the first |
| have a daughter, she may not be permitted to | | | | through your custom Bar Mitzvah Invitations |
| participate in this part of the celebration. However, | | | | Cards. |
| she may still be able to have a bat mitzvah (the | | | | While the wording won't be too difficult, you can |
| female version of bar mitzvahs). | | | | always dress up the content of your printed Bar |
| Prior to Mailing Out the Bar Mitzvah Invite | | | | Mitzvah Invitations Cards with a quote from the |
| Generally, people want to know if there will be | | | | Torah, particularly from the passage your child will |
| gifts associated with the invitations. This may | | | | be reading. |
| seem to be the primary purpose of the | | | | |