by David Greenspoon | Mar 17, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
There is literally a world of venue options for your student’s ceremony and celebration. “Form follows function” is a helpful mindset to keep in mind when considering the venue. Here are some essential points to consider: Guest List size: Clearly this is an important...
by David Greenspoon | Mar 3, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
Hebrew language skills add an important sense of identity along with capacity for a student celebrating b* mitzvah. The ability to see the letters’ connections between various words enhances understanding and meaning. The skills-and-drills training certainly operate...
by David Greenspoon | Feb 17, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
Incorporating family and dearest friends into the celebration adds layers of meaning. Having ones’ closest relationships recognized in the celebration are often occasions for joy, and sometimes occasions for stress. Extending an honor should be understood as an...
by David Greenspoon | Feb 3, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
Generations of students celebrating their b* mitzvah have gone beyond the bimah (pulpit). They have taken explored the treasury of Jewish values, and applied their energy and attention to a worthy need. Often called “mitzvah projects” in the synagogue setting, the...
by David Greenspoon | Jan 20, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
Today’s adolescents have many interests and passions and their busy personal calendars reflect their commitment to their endeavors. Parents who manage their children’s schedules and logistics are well-aware how intense the time commitments can be. Often, there are...
by David Greenspoon | Jan 6, 2025 | B* Mitzvah
The costs of a b* mitzvah celebration are almost exclusively a function of values and priorities. Some families look at the higher end of what the occasion can cost, and wonder if there is a better value for the expense. Destination travel b* mitzvah is an option for...
by David Greenspoon | Dec 16, 2024 | B* Mitzvah
Placing a b* mitzvah on Friday evening strongly lends itself to a larger Friday night Shabbat experience. Starting Shabbat with the lighting of candles, joyous singing, and bringing a Shabbat dinner to the table will make the event memorable for all concerned. It also...
by David Greenspoon | Dec 2, 2024 | B* Mitzvah
The Torah is read on Saturday afternoon during the brief minhah prayers, in an essential ceremony with three short readings. Following the conclusion of the afternoon service and a brief study session, the evening (ma’ariv) prayers are recited as night falls. These...
by David Greenspoon | Nov 18, 2024 | B* Mitzvah
Traditionally b* mitzvah celebrations are based around the Torah reading ceremony. The structure of the Shabbat (Saturday) morning Torah reading offers a maximum of potential honors that can be extended, and has been the main platform for b* mitzvah for countless...
by David Greenspoon | Nov 4, 2024 | B* Mitzvah
Most people are surprised to learn that the entire idea of a bar mitzvah ceremony didn’t exist until around the 1400’s. In fact, the Talmud’s discussion about coming of age depended on the presence of physiological signs of puberty. The convention of coming of age at...
