The Beth Jacob Community and Your Simcha
Contact Sean Murphy about all matters related to the celebration.
Invitations
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah year is a crucial time for developing friendships and building community for our youth. To that end, we as a congregation expect all children from your child’s Beth Jacob class to be invited to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Service. As for any party or celebration after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, our rule of thumb is: If you plan to invite 50% or more of your child’s Beth Jacob class to the celebration, then the entire class must be invited. To assist you, a full list of the class members can be secured from the shul office.
Meals
Financial need should be discussed with Rabbi Allen
Meals celebrating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah are an important part of the simcha. All information that you need to plan the Kiddush lunch, and any other meal within the synagogue is laid out in Hosting Events at Beth Jacob.
Kiddush Lunch
All of the information about the Kiddush lunch is included in the section Hosting Events at Beth Jacob. It will explain contracts, caterers, how to bake for the event and even include recipes. If you do not find all of the answers to your questions please contact Sean Murphy.
Photography
No photography can take place on Shabbat. If you would like photographs of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the sanctuary or chapel, you must arrange to take them during the week. You may wish to arrange for these pictures on the Monday or Thursday morning before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah on the day on which your child reads the Rishon portion during morning minyan.
Gifts
Gifts should reflect the spiritual nature of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, tzedakah, donations, books, ritual items or other gifts reflecting the young adult’s interests are all appropriate.
In the past, some classes have joined together in deciding an appropriate gift for each Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and the amount of money for families to contribute. The gift will be given to each member of that year’s class from all other members of that year’s class.
Shabbat Dinner as part of your Celebration of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat dinner is an integral part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience, and most families make it part of the celebration. There are two wonderful ways to do that.
At Beth Jacob Congregation
If you wish to hold a Shabbat dinner at the shul please contact Sean Murphy to begin the process. He will discuss dates, catering options, cooking in the kitchen and all issues related to kashrut. General information about holding a dinner at the shul may be found in the Hosting Events section. It provides all of the information that you will need
Dinner will begin after Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv services on Friday night. We look forward to your guests joining us. The service begins at 6:00 PM during Daylight Savings Time, and 5:30 PM during Standard time.
At Home
Many Beth Jacob families host a Shabbat dinner at their home or the home of friends or families following Kabbalat Shabbat services
The synagogue is happy to provide you with materials, including tapes, of the prayers and blessings recited at home to celebrate Shabbat.