How to plan an amazing Bar/Bat Mitzvah Event

Mazal Tov! Your Jewish teen is about to become a young adult. Are you ready to plan an awesome Bar / Bat Mitzvah event for him /her? If you are not quite sure how to begin and what it involves, here is some background.

Torah Scroll and a Yad

What is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys and girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony marks the time when a boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult. This means that they are now responsible for their own actions and can decide for themselves how they would like to practice Judaism.

Is there a difference between Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah

In many contexts, the rituals of bar and bat mitzvah have become identical, but the names of the ritual are still sexually differentiated: "bar mitzvah" for boys, and "bat mitzvah" for girls.

What happens at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is a religious event that celebrates when a Jewish boy/girl reaches the age of maturity and becomes responsible for his own actions. The Bar / Bat Mitzvah service is often celebrated by a service held in the synagogue with Torah readings, speeches, and blessings. When the service is held during the week and not on Shabbat or a major holiday, the service will usually include tefillin wearing. At the end of the service, it is a custom to throw candies at the Bar / Bat Mitzvah kid as a symbol of showering him with sweetness and love.

Bat Mitzvah Service at Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, CA

Bar Mitzvah Service in the South Bay, CA

What Kind of Candy do you throw at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service?

In many congregations, it is customary to throw candy at the bar mitzvah kids when they have completed the Haftarah, to wish them a “sweet” life as he makes the transition to adulthood. Children are invited to come up to the bima to retrieve and eat the candy once it has been thrown. If you've been to a b'nai mitzvah, you've probably seen a rainbow of Sunkist Fruit Gems flying toward the bimah at the end of the Torah service. What's more, you've probably heard those Sunkist Fruit Gems.

Bat Mitzvah Morning Service at Temple Isaiah, Lafayette, CA

Bar Mitzvah Rehearsal, Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA

What are the traditions at a Bar Mitzvah Party

Some families choose to mark the day with a big party following the service (typically in the early evening). During the party, when all the guests are well settled in and immersed in the celebration, the guests gather onto the dance floor for introduction into the Grand entrance of the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah kid. Immediately after that there will be the Horah and the guests will hoist a chair up with the kid on it, followed by the parents.

Before dinner, the eldest member of the family recites the Ha-motzi over challah bread, honoring God as well as the child being celebrated. The challah is then sliced and passed around to be shared. After eating, it's tradition at a Bar / Bat Mitzvah for the child to have a special dance with one's parents. The DJ leads many games and gives prizes for the kids during the party as the evening is very festive and joyful. At the end of the night, there are often candle lighting events, in which the young adult invites family and friends to light a candle with him/her. Some choose to screen a 10 minutes slide show of the kid with images from the newborn stage till present day.

What song is sung during the Hora at a Bar / Bat Mitzvah?

Hava Nagila is simply a very popular selection. Regardless if you know the title or not, many people recognize the music due to its uplifting melody and the numerous popular artists that have performed and recorded it.

Bat Mitzvah Evening Party, Bay Area, CA

Bat Mitzvah Celebration, Walnut Creek, CA

Tips for great Bar and Bat Mitzvah Photography

Planning the perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a big deal for your family story – it's time to party! In the blink of an eye, your kid's reaching this important milestone, and we've got to capture all the respect, laughs, and joy that come with it. Let's make it unforgettable! Here are my tips to make sure you capture these moments for the future generations.

10 most important Bar / Bat Mitzvah service shots?

Entire family shot (with grandparents and uncles/aunts)
Immediate family
Siblings
Each side of family
Individual shots with the Torah scroll, Yad, Ark and Rabbi/Educator
Temple details and decor (kippas, guests’ name tags, flowers, etc)
Arrival of guests
Guest Book signing
Luncheon food
Hamotzi

16 most important Bar / Bat party shots?

Venu decor (tables’ decor, balloons, guests name tags)
Kid’s name sign
Favor table
Gift able
Arrival of guests
Guest book signing
Grand entrance
Challah blessing
Candle lighting
Toasts
Food / desserts
Table shots
Entertainment and Games
The Hora and dancing
Father/ Daughter dance or Mother / Son dance
Besties

Bat Mitzvah Horah, East Bay, CA

How to Ensure a Smooth Photography on Bar/Bat Mitzvah Day

To ensure best photography results, make sure that your event planner or whoever is in charge of the day, communicates the details of the service and evening party to the photographer. It is also helpful for the photographer to know if there are any special lighting effects that the DJ plans on using.

It is also important to get your teen’s feedback for photo requests. Remember, it is your young adult’s big day and you want to make sure they are getting all the shots that are meaningful to them.

Lifting the Chair at the End of the Service, Hillel's at Stanford, CA

How to Book a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Session With Me

If you are looking for an experienced Bay Area Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photographer who will capture this special day for your teen, I am here to help you achieve exactly that! You can see my galleries from different Bay Area Congregations and in-home Bnai Mitzvah Services if you click this link My Bnai Mitzvah Galleries . My prices are found here Investment

Should I Photograph Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal

If you are considering having me photograph your Bar/Bat Mitzvah rehearsal, here is a link to a blog I wrote about the subject Documenting Bnai Mitzvah Rehearsal

Table Decor, Bat Mitzvah Event

Some Bay Area Bar/Bat Mitzvah Vendors List

Personalized Kippot

kippah.com

skullcap.com

Book Your Bnai Mitzvah Photography With Me

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