| A Bar Mitzvah only happens once in a person's life | | | | take candles or oil. If the family is religiously |
| so it is an opportunity for the friends and relatives | | | | observant make sure to get a "kosher" menorah |
| to give gifts that will last his lifetime. It is not | | | | one where all of the candles are in a row and at |
| always easy to choose something or to know | | | | the same height. |
| what is suitable, especially if you don't know the | | | | Once a boy is the age of Bar Mitzvah he will be |
| young man very well. Here is where we can help | | | | eligible to be called up to the Torah to recite the |
| you out. | | | | blessings before and after the Torah reading. He |
| Tips on Bar or Bat Mitzvah Gift buying: | | | | will be required to wear a Tallit (Prayer shawl) and |
| People often buy books or send checks for Bar | | | | kippa (yarmulke or skullcap) when he goes up to |
| Mitzvah gifts, but if you are the kind of person | | | | the bima. Tallitot today come in many styles and |
| who wants to make a more personal touch, we | | | | colors, so much more than when I was growing |
| have some ideas for you. We believe that gifts | | | | up. The most beautiful designs from Israel today |
| should be treasured and that they can last a | | | | are created by artist Yair Emanuel. He has |
| lifetime. My brother has gifts that he received at | | | | created tallitot with themes such as the Etz |
| his Bar Mitzvah in 1980 and he still uses and | | | | Chayim or "Tree of Life" design as well as the |
| displays them today. Actually, I think his favorite | | | | tallitot with the skyline of Jerusalem or the twelve |
| gift was the 5 stocks in Chrysler that someone | | | | tribes and their symbols. They are also available in |
| gave him. That was a creative choice. | | | | different sizes, smaller ones for small men and |
| Find out whether the Bar Mitzvah boy | | | | wider ones for wider men. Most of the tallitot also |
| understands Hebrew. If so, a gift with Hebrew | | | | come with matching kippot which completes the |
| words in it, or his name in Hebrew (such as on a | | | | look. |
| prayer book or picture frame) would be | | | | Another nice Judaica gift is a yad or "Torah |
| appreciated. | | | | pointer" which the Bar Mitzvah boy can use to |
| If the Bar Mitzvah boy is part of the Orthodox | | | | read his Torah portion with. This is best given to |
| Jewish community and attends synagogue on all | | | | the boy before his ceremony so that he can use |
| the holidays, then an Etrog box would be a | | | | it at the synagogue. |
| fantastic gift. This is something used once a year | | | | If the boy comes from a family very involved in |
| during Succot (The Feast of Tabernacles) in the | | | | helping the community and in local charities, a |
| Fall. However, if the child is not very observant, | | | | "tzedaka" box would be appreciated. These come |
| this would probably not be a meaningful gift for | | | | in all shapes and sizes these days. |
| him. | | | | A Kiddish cup (wine goblet) is something that |
| If the Bar Mitzvah boy has been to Israel already | | | | every Bar Mitzvah boy can use over a lifetime of |
| then he probably has fond memories of being | | | | Shabbats and holidays. It is more traditional to buy |
| there. Artwork and Judaica with Jerusalem | | | | a silver kiddish cup but the painted wooden cups |
| themes would then be a great choice as it will | | | | by Yair Emanuel have also become popular and |
| remind him of Jerusalem whenever he sees it. | | | | are considerably less expensive than silver. |
| Any gift from Israel would also be meaningful to | | | | All of these items mentioned in this article can be |
| someone who is active in the Jewish community. | | | | purchased over the Internet with ease. To see |
| When in doubt, a Hanukkia (Menorah) is always a | | | | examples and prices, refer to my website listed |
| safe choice as almost all Jewish households | | | | below. |
| celebrate Hanukkah. You can find menorahs that | | | | |