Bar & Bat Mitzvah Guide

Get the latest on planning (and attending) a bar or bat mitzvah, learn about Jewish culture & maybe have a couple laughs along the way.

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“Passover, Passover, Passover!”

Shavuot, the Jan Brady of Jewish holidays. Here is why it has that rep

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Why we view Shavuot as the Jan Brady of Jewish holidays.

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Dear Cantor Matt, To help ourselves prepare for our daughter’s bat mitzvah, we’ve been going to services pretty often this year. I still can’t figure out what’s considered appropriate clothing. It seems to range from full suits and dresses to t-shirts and shorts. What do we wear?

Are Flip-Flops OK? 

Read Cantor Matt Axelrod's response here.

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Make your party pop with our slide show of 30 cool balloon ideas.

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A very pretty ballerina bat mitzvah at the W Hotel Union Square, NYC. See more pictures and a Q&A with the woman who designed it here.

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The role of the scroll

Dear Cantor Matt,

We know that our son will be doing his Torah reading right from the Torah scroll. Is there a haftorah scroll too?

—Just Out for a Scroll

Read Cantor Matt’s answer here!

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Torah portion Tuesdays: Parshat Bechukotai

This week, God gets Old Testament on your tuchus. 

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Teens raise money for cancer research

A mitzvah project turns into a cancer foundation when two teens create “A Dollar Campaign.”

A dollar a day keeps cancer away

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Torah portion Wednesday: Parshat Behar

Getting your hands on the latest gadget may give you an intense buzz, but how long does that feeling last? This week’s parsha teaches us that the value of material things can be fleeting.

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Eye-candy ideas for a candy-themed bat mitzvah: check out our tips and slide show of really sweet ideas.

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Torah portion Tuesdays: Emor

Are tattoos only skin deep or does getting one jeopardize your self respect? We cover the issue in this week’s parsha.

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“Matkes” means “underpants” in Yiddish

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Food for thought: Serve traditional Jewish treats that should be served at every bar mitzvah. See our tasty slide show here!

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Torah portion Tuesdays: Parshat Kedoshim

This week’s parsha teaches b’nei mitzvah students to look outside of themselves at the world around them. 

To read more about Parshat Kedoshim, click here.

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Fraternal twins double their fun with a b’nei mitzvah that represents both of their distinct personalities.

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Kid-friendly party ideas that even Don Draper would approve of.

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Lowering the bar … mitzvah that is

Dear Cantor Matt,

My son came home from his bar mitzvah lesson really upset. He had practiced a lot during the week, and even wrote out the Hebrew words using English letters so he could read everything easily. The cantor made him use the Hebrew letters and made it needlessly difficult and frustrating. Why does it matter “how” he reads it if it all sounds the same?

— The Sound and the Fury

Read Cantor Matt’s response here.