Bar & Bat Mitzvah Traditions
A bar/bat mitzvah is an important tradition and a rite of passage for young boys and girls in the Jewish faith. As a mitzvah entertainment company for over the last decade and having mitzvahs ourselves, we understand the meaning of tradition and the significance of the moment, as well as the importance of being current, staying fresh, and putting your own spin on things!
Photo Credit: Peter Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Venue: The Boathouse at Mercer Lake - West Windsor Township, New Jersey
Over the last 20 years, we have honored practices that we feel are not only important in the Jewish faith, but also ones that, while they may not have a religious significance, have become common during the mitzvah celebration. These traditions, religious or not, create a special moment and meaning for our guests of honor and their families during this rite of passage. On top of that, they are a great way to break up different moments of the party and create natural transitions that flow seamlessly. Even though we as a team love when everyone is out on the dancefloor, we realize that not everyone can or may not want to dance the entire night. That is why it is important to have moments that break that up but still make sense to the flow of the party and add to the value of the event. While our job as entertainers is to create an entertaining atmosphere, it is also our job to make sure your child’s mitzvah runs smoothly.
Below we have listed a timeline of events that typically occur at a bar and bat mitzvah, the meaning they have, and how they add to the flow and value of the event. Although they may be common practice, ultimately your child’s event and the way it runs is solely up to you and your family and what you feel should be performed during it. No matter what you decide to do, new or old, our team has got you covered through all of it!
Introductions
As a way to start the night, each family member is introduced and makes their way into the party, followed by the guest of honor. This is a fun way to start the party and put all of the focus on the guest of honor and their family. The introductions allow for each family member to be uniquely introduced and “come out with a bang”! Whether that’s choosing the best bar or bat mitzvah entrance songs or choosing the perfect move, the better your entrance, the better start to the party!
Venue: Desmond Hotel - Malvern, Pennsylvania
Ha-Motzi / Blessing
The Ha-Motzi, a prayer and blessing, honoring God and celebrating the guest of honor over challah bread, is a perfect transition into having everyone sit down for dinner. Not only is the Ha-Motzi one of the more meaningful Jewish traditions practiced during a mitzvah, it also allows for a member of the family to acknowledge the guest of honor and their faith, as well as create a break of events that feels natural and meaningful.
Photo Credit: DR Photography Studio - New Jersey / New York
Venue: Grand Marquis - Old Bridge, New Jersey
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting
With their family, the guest of honor performs the candle lighting ceremony. The first candle lit is typically done in honor of the family members who have passed away. Not only does this tradition honor family that is no longer here, but it shows appreciation to the family that still currently surrounds them. The guest of honor may say a few words or even read out a short poem for each member of the family that helps light a candle. This gives the guest of honor another opportunity to really show their personality and make their family feel special with how they choose to honor them.
Photo Credit: Dom Pierre Photography - New York
Venue: Rushmore Estate - Highland Mills, New York
Hora
The hora, a Jewish traditional dance that is simple, fun and gets everyone involved. With everyone still on the dance floor, it is customary to lift the guest of honor and their family up in their chairs. Not only is this fun and interactive for the family and their guests, it also makes for great photos! On top of that it holds great symbolic meaning. The hora symbolizes being brought closer to a spiritual place as well as always having the support of others.
Photo Credit: Impressions Photo & Video - Marlboro, New Jersey
Venue: Forsgate Country Club - Jamesburg, New Jersey
Toast
After the hora, a toast is made by the guest of honor’s parents. This gives the family an opportunity to thank their guests for coming to their child’s mitzvah and for taking part in the important celebration with them.
Photo Credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Venue: McLoone's Pier House - Long Branch, New Jersey
Photo Montage
While this may not be a Jewish tradition, it has definitely become a mitzvah tradition. A bar/bat mitzvah montage is a great way to gather everyone around, take a break from dancing, and focus on photos highlighting your son or daughter’s childhood. This moment allows your child to honor their friends and family that have been a part of their lives, as well as show how much they've grown.
Photo Credit: Peter Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Guest of Honor Dance
Not only is it tradition to have a guest of honor dance with their mother or father, it also allows for a moment away from the party that creates a special memory for the guest of honor’s parents that they are sure to hold on for years to come.
Photo Credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Venue: River House at Odette's - New Hope, Pennsylvania
At the end of the night, your child has officially become a man or woman of faith. This is a huge achievement and should be celebrated as such, throughout the party. This means that while it is important to honor your faith and the traditions that are commonly practiced during the event, it is also important to have fun and make the event unique to your son or daughter. This can mean choosing the best bar/bat mitzvah themes that represent your child’s interests or even arranging a surprise for them during the night. Whatever you decide for their event, our team of mitzvah entertainment experts will make sure it runs seamlessly!
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venues, and so much more!
