Bar/Bat Mitzvah Information

Below is information taken from thel Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook. It should answer most of your questions about the procedure of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH

As a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, your child will do the following during the Shabbat Morning Service:

1. Read and chant portions of the Ritual Service as designated by the Rabbi.

2. Chant the blessings before and after the Torah and Haftarah readings.

3. Read or chant the Torah portion. This is a selection from the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The portion is determined by the date of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. If your child is interested in chanting the Torah and Haftarah portions, this should be discussed with the Rabbi at the beginning of the program.

4. Translate the Torah portion directly from the Torah scroll without accompanying notes. Under special circumstances, this may be modified upon consultation with the Rabbi.

5. Read or chant the Haftarah portion. This is a reading from Nevi’im, the prophetic section of the Tanakh. It may be linked to the Torah portion by similarity of content. The student will compose and deliver a short introductory summary before reading or chanting the portion.

6. Compose and deliver a derasha/talk dealing with the Torah/Haftarah portions and the student’s feelings about becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This talk will include a public commitment to continue his/her Jewish education at The High School of Jewish Studies at least through the ceremony of Kabbalat Torah (Confirmation) in 10th grade. We encourage all our students to continue at the High School through 12th grade.

7. Receive a private blessing from the Rabbi.

8. After the Service, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will chant the Veshamru, the short Kiddush and Motzi prayers at the Kiddush reception.

On the Shabbat evening preceding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family will be invited to light Shabbat candles and chant the Kiddush. According to our congregation’s worship procedures, only a Jew (by birth or by choice, after having completed the formal conversion process) may recite the blessings and light the candles.

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah student will participate in the Friday evening service by reading prayers designated by the Rabbi.

MITZVAH PROJECTS

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah student will choose one from among the following possibilities. These projects are begun at the start of Bar/Bat Mitzvah study.

Jacob Healthcare Center
Many Jewish residents live at the Jacob Healthcare Center. You can contact Julia Edging at 619-582-5168 x218 to see if there are residents who would welcome a visit from a young person. Two students may choose to do a joint project, such as a readers’ theater presentation, at the Center. A proposal for such a project must be submitted in writing to Cathy Kamin. The students must then get final approval for the project from the Activities Coordinator at the Center. Cathy Kamin will make the initial contact for you. Volunteering must be done on a regular basis as determined by the student and Andrea Ladmer.

Adopt-A-Grandparent Program
If you would like to participate in an Adopt-A-Grandparent Program, please contact Andrea Ladmer at 619-593-7377. She will match you with a wonderful person who will touch your heart and give you back a multitude of spiritual gifts and insights. There are many isolated, elderly Jewish residents throughout San Diego County who live in convalescent care centers and who never have any visitors. You have an opportunity to make a tremendous difference in someone’s life!

San Diego Hunger Project
We require that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student work at least one Sunday morning at the Hunger Project at the St. Vincent de Paul/Joan Kroc Center. Temple Emanu-El works there on the first Sunday of each month. Arrangements must be made through Daniel and Lisa Fishtrom (619-698-4156) about working at the Hunger Project. A parent must accompany the student. Be sure to schedule your work dates as early as possible since many people work at the Center and it is sometimes difficult to fit everyone in.

Some students have chosen the Hunger Project as their main Mitzvah Project. If you want to do this you must let Cathy Kamin know immediately. Then you must call Daniel and Lisa Fishtrom for scheduling. The Hunger Project is very serious and difficult work and requires a firm commitment.

Mama’s Pantry
On the third Sunday of each month from 12 noon to 6 p.m., members of Temple Emanu-El work in two-hour shifts outside of Ralphs supermarket on Friars Road. They hand out flyers informing shoppers about people with AIDS who are in need of food and personal care items. They encourage shoppers to purchase specific items while in the store and deposit them with our workers. The food is then distributed to people in need. A parent must accompany the student.To become a part of this project and sign up for a specific time, call Jay Bartell at 619-501-5565 or Elizabeth Lincoln at 619-698-0921.

Design-Your-Own Mitzvah Project
It is also possible to create your own Mitzvah Project. Some students have worked as volunteers with a service organization or in a school program. If you would like to choose this option, present your project in writing to Cathy Kamin for approval.

North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry
This organization is instrumental in caring for the needs of Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia and in Israel. There is an Adopt-A-High-School-Student program for Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Or you might provide nutritious lunches for a child for a year. Or you might twin with an Ethiopian Jewish child. Or you might provide school supplies for a child or a class. For more detailed information, please call Kitty Park at 619-252-6844.

ARZA
ARZA is dedicated to bringing Reform Zionism to life. ARZA asks you to stand with Israel so Israel does not stand alone. Join ARZA to help Israel boost its economy, achieve social justice and remain in our hearts. For more information contact ARZA at 212-650-4280 or arza@urj.org or www.arza.org.

MAZON
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger has been established to raise funds to help to alleviate hunger in this country and around the world. Mazon is the Hebrew word for sustenance. In the best of our Jewish tradition, MAZON’s simple, unique concept is to help feed hungry Jews and non-Jews through a suggested voluntary contribution equal to 3% of the cost of a celebration. We strongly suggest that the young people and families involved in Bar/Bat Mitzvah make such a contribution. These funds will be allocated to field organizations here and abroad, which are doing useful and cost effective work feeding the hungry on a local, national and international level. You may send your contributions directly to MAZON, INC., 1990 South Bundy Dr., Suite 260, Los Angeles, California 90025. Telephone: (310) 442-0020.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREPARATION

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah may occur on or after the child’s 13th birthday. To be eligible for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, the student must have completed at least four years of Hebrew School or its equivalent prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The student must also have attended Torah School.

Parents and child will meet other families and Rabbi Lawson for a series of five Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Workshops. The parents and child will meet privately with Rabbi Lawson just prior to the actual eight-month preparation period. In addition, they will meet with the Rabbi for a rehearsal during the week just prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah student will enroll in and complete the Torah School year of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah. If the student is in the 8th grade, he/she will enroll in the High School of Jewish Studies.

The student will attend a five-month group class to learn the prayers and blessings of the Shabbat Morning Service. The class will also study the meaning of the prayers. The Prayers and Blessings class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. It is expected that the student will attend the Prayers and Blessings class on a regular basis. Students who will have their Bar/Bat Mitzvah during the months of September through January will attend the Prayers and Blessings class from February to June. Students having their Bar/Bat Mitzvah during the months of February through June will attend the Prayers and Blessings class from September to January.

Eight months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, the student will begin working with one of our tutors. The private tutorial sessions will involve working on the Torah and Haftarah portions and Torah translation. Three months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, the student will begin to work with Rabbi Lawson. The Rabbi will meet with the student for three 1 1/2-hour sessions. He will engage the student in discussions about Judaism, Torah, Jewish history, the portions - whatever he deems appropriate. He will also guide the student in writing the derasha/talk.

The tutor will continue to work privately with the student to smooth out the Hebrew readings and blessings. The tutor will help the student read from the Torah scroll in the Sanctuary. This practice will help the student to become “bima ready”.

Star Laddon makes appointments for the student to meet with the Rabbi. She will contact the family to set those dates and will provide the family with a list of dates after getting the Rabbi’s approval.

Students continuing their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies through the summer should plan on spending only two or three weeks away on vacation. For students who attend Camp Swig-Newman, arrangements can be made to study with a Rabbi while at Camp. Be sure to notify Star Laddon of your vacation plans. The Rabbi should be notified of any plans to take a longer vacation so that he may make alternative arrangements for your studies.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah students must regularly attend Shabbat Morning Services during the eight-month preparation period. When there is no Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the student will be asked to read a portion of the service. After each service attended, the student must sign in on the attendance sheet in the study next to the bima. The student is expected to attend as many Shabbat morning services as possible. When Bar/Bat Mitzvah students attend a Friday Evening or Saturday Morning Service, they will refrain from talking and socializing with their friends during the service.

Parents should also attend Shabbat Morning Services at least once a month in order to become familiar with the order of the service and to experience a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. We also ask that you attend on non-Bar/Bat Mitzvah Shabbat mornings. Your presence at services is an indication of your support for your child and for continued Jewish learning.

CHANTING

Myrna Cohen, our Cantorial Soloist, teaches chanting. Appointments are made directly with her. Myrna will provide the student with a CD of the trope and of the portion and will meet individually with each student by phone or in person to help him/her to perfect the portions. If you have questions about chanting, contact Myrna or Cathy Kamin.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH FAMILY WORKSHOPS

Rabbi Lawson will lead five family education workshops for all the Bar/Bat Mitzvah families to learn about the history of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, about Torah, about Shabbat Services and about a positive way to plan the celebration for this important life cycle event. Three sessions will be held during Torah School on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 12:00 noon. Two sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH CEREMONY

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony will take place at a Shabbat Morning Service. There will be no more than one Bar/Bat Mitzvah per service, except when children in a family wish to celebrate the event together.

Traditionally, it has been considered an honor to sit on the bima during a service. Therefore, we ask parents, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah and siblings to sit on the bima during the Friday Shabbat evening service. Parents are invited to sit with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah on the bima during the Shabbat morning service as well. Grandparents are also invited to sit on the bima during the Shabbat morning service. They may, however, choose to sit in the congregation and come up to the bima for the Torah passing and aliyah. Both Jews and non-Jews may sit on the bima.

Before the Shabbat Service begins, the parents will present their child with a tallit (prayer shawl) as a symbol of the acceptance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah responsibility. Within Reform tradition, both boys and girls can wear a tallit and kipah (head covering). The tallit may be presented privately in the study or publicly on the bima. The family may choose to make a short presentation speech. After presenting the tallit, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, parents and Rabbi will recite the Shehekheyanu blessing from memory.

At the beginning of the Torah Service, the parents and grandparents may join the child on the bima to participate in the “Chain of Tradition” ceremony, the passing of the Torah scroll from the older generations to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. However, this ceremony is optional and, if the family wishes, the Rabbi will pass the Torah to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

When intermarriage is a consideration, the Jewish parent and grandparents stand in a row to the right of the child and the non-Jewish parent and grandparents, if they wish, stand in a row to the left of the child. The Torah is passed through the Jewish generations of the family to the child, while the non-Jewish members of the family stand as an indication of their love and support. If this is not a suitable arrangement, speak with Rabbi Lawson at least one month before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

During the Shabbat morning service, the parents are invited to read a short English prayer at the start of the service. If they prefer, they may choose not to read anything. We do not encourage additional readings by friends or other family members. If one or both parents would like to read a portion of the Friday or Saturday service in Hebrew, or read from the Torah, they should notify the Rabbi no less than five months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

ALIYOT AND OTHER HONORS

One month prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family must submit to Torah School Office a list of the people to be called to the bima to chant the Torah blessings during the Shabbat Morning Service. The list should include names and relationship to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student. There is a maximum of seven aliyot. The first aliyah is reserved for members of the congregation. You may submit a maximum of four people or groups (consisting of no more than four people). The parents have the sixth aliyah and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah has the seventh. It is customary for the list to begin with friends or relatives most distantly related to the child and should proceed toward closer family relationship. The aliyot procedure is subject to change at any time.

The list should also include the names of the Torah dressers, and ushers (who must be Temple members). Other opportunities for participation by family or friends can be the opening of the ark (this occurs twice) and Hagba (raising up) of the Torah after the reading. According to our congregation’s worship procedures, only Jews (by birth or by choice, after having completed the formal conversion process) may be Torah dressers and do Hagba. A Jew or a non-Jew may open the ark.

According to our worship procedures, only Jews may be called to the Torah to recite the blessings. A non-Jewish parent may join his/her spouse at the Torah lectern before their child is called for an aliyah. If a person having an aliyah is unsure about chanting the blessings in Hebrew, he/she may read the blessings in English. It is expected that parents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will chant or read the blessings in Hebrew or Hebrew transliteration.

HEBREW NAMES

At the same time that the list of aliyot is submitted, the family should submit to Star Laddon the Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s Hebrew name as well as the Hebrew names of both parents if they did not already do so at the first meeting with the Rabbi. Both the student and parents will be called up for an aliyah by their Hebrew names. The Hebrew name consists of the given name(s) and the Hebrew names of both parents. In the event that you do not know your Hebrew name, the Rabbi or Cathy Kamin will help you to select a suitable one. It is not necessary to submit Hebrew names for others having an aliyah. It is customary that only Jews (by birth or by choice after having completed the formal conversion process) have a Hebrew name.

REHEARSAL

During the week of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, there will be a rehearsal with Rabbi Lawson on Thursday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, parents, grandparents, great grandparents and all siblings should be present. If at all possible, the ark openers, Torah dressers and the person doing hagba should be present at the Thursday rehearsal. If that isn’t possible, they must be at the facility no later than 9:40 a.m. on Saturday. People with aliyot may come to the first 15 minutes of the rehearsal to practice the blessings.

INVITATIONS

When selecting your invitation, it is good to keep in mind the religious significance of the occasion. They may be engraved, printed, custom designed, handmade, or simply hand written. Order your invitations well in advance (5-6 months). This leaves plenty of room for correction of errors. Remember to order extra invitations and envelopes for the unexpected. Please be aware in the wording of invitations that the celebrant is not “Bar Mitzvahed” but rather that he/she “becomes a Bar/Bat Mitzvah”. Invitations should be mailed to your guests eight weeks prior to the date. Be sure that the invitation specifies that the Saturday Morning Service begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. You might also include an invitation to the Friday Evening Service.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOGRAPHY

You may wish to have pictures of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a remembrance. It is wise to select an experienced photographer for the best results. No photographs are permitted during any Shabbat Morning Service. Family photographs may be taken at 3:00 p.m. prior to the Thursday rehearsal. Be sure to notify all people you wish to include in these photos. Rabbi Lawson will meet you at the rehearsal facility at 3:30 to take out the Torah for ‘ritual’ photos. At that time, he will be available for a photo with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Photography must be completed and equipment cleared away by 4:00 p.m. Be sure that the ark openers, Torah dressers and the person doing hagba are on hand at 3:40 p.m. on Thursday to receive instructions from the Rabbi.

Family photographs taken at the event facility will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the ceremony are to be concluded by 10:00 a.m. with all equipment cleared away. If photographs are taken on Saturday morning only, the Rabbi will arrive just before 10:00 a.m. for a photograph in front of the ark with the student. Myrna Cohen will arrive at 9:40 a.m. to take out the Torah for ‘ritual’ photos. She will also give instructions to the Torah dressers, ark openers and the person doing hagba who need to be there at that time.

To assist the photographer and expedite the family photo session, it is a good idea to give the photographer a list of people to be included in the photos before the start of the family session. The procedure for photographs is subject to change at any time.

Temple Emanu-El has the capability to record the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. For a feewill will record this onto a DVD. You may wish to hire your own videographer to edit the DVD after you receive it.

SPECIAL BOOKLETS

If your family would like to have a special booklet on the Sanctuary seats, Cathy Kamin will provide you with the text containing standard information about Bar/Bat Mitzvah and the Shabbat service. You may design a cover page and, if you wish, list aliyot and honors on the back page. Cathy Kamin and the Rabbi must proof this booklet three months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

USHERS

The family should choose at least two people from among its friends and relatives to be ushers during the Shabbat Morning Service of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The ushers must be adults and Temple members. They should arrive at the facility no later than 9:45 a.m. to insure that they are ready to greet people as they enter the Sanctuary. A letter will be mailed to the ushers describing their duties.

TEMPLE BULLETIN

Each month, the Bulletin will publish a photograph, the child’s name and parents’ names and Bar/Bat Mitzvah date of upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Therefore, we will need a wallet size photo of your child. The bulletin deadline is the first of every month for the following month. Be sure to give the photo to Barbara Pollack at rrbp@aol.com or to the Temple Office front desk two months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. If your child’s Bar/BatMitzvah falls on the first Saturday of the month, a photo should be submitted three months before for inclusion in the prior month’s Bulletin. If you do not submit a photo, just your child’s name and Bar/Bat Mitzvah date will appear in the Bulletin.

MUSIC

During the Shabbat Morning Service, Myrna Cohen, our Cantorial Soloist, provides music. Use of any other music or musicians must be cleared with the Rabbi. If you have any special requests, you must contact Myrna Cohen at least 2 months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Both she and the Rabbi must approve any additions to the service.

FLOWERS

We encourage you to provide either one or two fresh floral arrangements for the bima on the weekend of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please see Susanne Geshekter with regards to times for floral delivery on the Friday preceding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It is your responsibility to take the flowers with you after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah (no later than 1:30 p.m. on Saturday).

Max and Marilyn Levy, who are Temple members, own Allen’s Flowers and will be happy to assist you in planning for flowers. See Susanne Geshekter if you have questions.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

At both the Friday Evening Service prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah and at the Shabbat Morning Service, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student and his/her family should wear clothing appropriate for the bima. For male family members, a jacket and tie (and trousers) are required on both Friday and Saturday. For female family members, a dress, suit or pants outfit may be worn. Shorts are never appropriate attire for Shabbat services. We are equally concerned about attire at Shabbat Morning Services. Modesty is a core value in Judaism and should be reflected in the way that your child dresses. Shabbat is a special time so clothing worn at services should be special.

THE CELEBRATION

There has been a strong negative reaction to ostentatious Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties and the excessive emphasis placed on them. Although it is a festive occasion, an elaborate celebration is not a family obligation. The event is a religious and spiritual one and care should be taken that the social events do not overshadow the religious values. With this in mind, it is inappropriate that pork or shellfish be served at the party.

GIFTS TO THE TEMPLE

Many families wish to show their appreciation by giving the Temple a gift, or by contributing to one of the Temple’s many funds. They feel that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a time to thank the Temple for the part it has played in the spiritual growth of their child. You should consult with Susanne Geshekter, our Executive Director, to determine the current needs of the Temple.

EARLY SHABBAT AND FAMILY SHABBAT

On the first, third, fourth and fifth Friday of each month, there is an Early Shabbat. If your date falls on such a weekend, the Friday evening service begins at 6:00 p.m. (except in special instances when the service will start at 8:00 p.m.). The service lasts about an hour.

Family Shabbat falls on the second Friday of the month during the school year. If your date falls on such a weekend, the service begins at 7:00 p.m. The family and Bar/Bat Mitzvah student will participate in a service that is geared to children and their families. A Torah School class also participates in the service.

RECEPTIONS AFTER THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH

If you are interested in having a lunch or dinner reception immediately after, please check with Susanne Geshekter about regulations, contract and cost. The signed contract must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the event to guarantee use of the facility. Susanne will also discuss maintenance requirements for the event.

FRIDAY NIGHT ONEG AND SATURDAY KIDDUSH

It is customary for all families to sponsor the Friday night Oneg and the Saturday morning Kiddush on the weekend of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This applies also to Family Shabbat and Early Shabbat services. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is responsible for asking either family or friends to pass the trays of wine and grape juice at the beginning of the Oneg on Friday evening and at the Kiddush on Saturday morning. Two or three people are needed depending on the size of the congregation.

The cost for Early Friday Evening Shabbat is $275.00. This price covers: Challah, wine, white grape juice, plastic wine cups, flowers for table, set-up and clean-up and includes Saturday morning Kiddush.

The cost for Family Friday Evening Shabbat is $400.00. This price covers Challah, wine, white grape juice, plastic wine cups, cookies, fruit tray, coffee, tea, punch, flowers for table, set-up and clean-up and includes Saturday morning Kiddush.

The Saturday morning Kiddush consists of the following: Challah, white wine, white grape juice, plastic wine cups and table covers, flowers, set-up and clean-up.

All families will pay the appropriate fee to the Temple Emanu-El two months prior to your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. If you have any questions about the Oneg and Kiddush fees, please contact Susanne Geshekter.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH COSTS

At the time the student begins the Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutorial program, his/her family’s financial obligations to the congregation (dues, school fees, building maintenance fund and other assessments) must be current, unless special arrangements are made with the Executive Director.

Tutoring
In addition to regular school fees as specified in the school brochure, there is a fee of $1150.00 for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. This covers private tutoring sessions with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tutor, Shelley Sloan or Judy Goren and Chanting preparation with Myrna Cohen our Cantorial Soloist. If the student needs more than 29 45-minute sessions with the tutor, additional tutoring will be billed to the parents at $50.00 per hour.

Prayers & Blessings Class
The class fee is $350.00.

All Bar/Bat Mitzvah fees must be paid in full at the start of tutoring unless provisions are made. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah fee is not refundable.

BAR/BAT MITZVAH SUPPLIES AND TUTORING INFORMATION

You will need to supply your child with the following items:

A 3-ring loose-leaf notebook having four divider sections. All Prayers & Blessings class notes are to be taken in this book; all translation work is to be done in it.
Lined notebook paper.
A red pencil (not a felt tip).
A card file box with 300-400 3x5 cards. These cards must be brought to each tutoring session.
Rubber bands.
A separate backpack or sack to hold all the supplies that are to be brought to each tutoring session.
A CD player for home use.

The Temple will provide your child with the following items:

A Hebrew-English dictionary, to be returned to Temple at the end of the study process.
Two CD’s, one containing the prayers and blessings and another containing the Torah and Haftarah portions. They are to be used as study aids and need not be returned to the Temple.

It is your responsibility to arrange your child’s tutoring with the assigned Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor at a mutually convenient time. Star Laddon (619-286-2555 x114) makes all appointments. We schedule appointments six sessions at a time. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact Star Laddon when it is time to schedule more appointments. It may not be possible for everyone to always get an ideal time. Star Laddon will schedule students so that everyone shares in the “good” and the “not so good” times. If you must break an appointment, please notify Star Laddon at least 24 hours before the scheduled time.

So that you are kept informed of your child’s assignments and progress, both tutors and the Rabbi Lawson fill out an Assignment Sheet and Progress Report (see the back of the Handbook) each time that they meet with your child. Please sign this form to acknowledge you have reviewed it with your child. If you have questions or want to discuss your child’s progress, feel free to call Cathy Kamin at Temple.

READING LIST

Amichai, Yehuda: The World is a Room and Other Stories, Jewish Publication Society, 1984.

Blue, Rose: The 13th Year: A Bar Mitzvah Story, Watts, 1977 (fiction).

Davis, Judith: Whose Bar/Bat Mitzvah Is This, Anyway?, St. Martin’s Griffin.

Drucker, Malka: Celebrating Life: Jewish Rites of Passage, Holiday House, 1984.

Goldin, Barbara Diamond: Bat Mitzvah: A Jewish Girl’s Coming of Age, Viking, 1995.

Kimmel, Eric A.: Bar Mitzvah: A Jewish Boy’s Coming of Age, Viking, 1995.

Leneman, Cantor Helen (ed.): Bar/Bat Mitzvah Basics: A Practical Family Guide to Coming of Age Together, Jewish Lights.

Lewit, Jane & Ellen Epstein: The Bar-Bat Mitzvah Plan Book, Scarborough House, 1991.

Moscovitz, Patti: The Complete Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book: Everything You Need to Plan a Meaningful Celebration, Career Press.

Neusner, Jacob: Mitzvah: Basic Jewish Ideas, Rossel Books, 1981.

Provost, Gary & Gail Levine-Freidus: Good If It Goes, Bradbury Press, 1984 (fiction).

Reisfeld, Randi: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Survival Guide, Carol Publishing Group, 1992.

Sage, Linda Seifer: The Complete Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planner, St. Martin’s Press, 1993.

Siegel, Danny: Tell Me a Mitzvah: Little and Big Ways to Repair the World, Kar-Ben Copies.

Strassfeld, Sharon & Michael: The Second Jewish Catalog, Jewish Publication Society, 1976.