A Guide to the Best Bar Mitzvah Invitations
A Bar Mitzvah is a very special celebration, one that holds its place among the oldest of religious ceremonies. While this is usually reserved for young men, there is a female version called a Bat Mitzvah.
According to Jewish Law, when Jewish children reach a certain age -- 13 for boys and 12 for girls -- they become responsible for their own actions. This era marks the coming of age for a young Jewish boy (or girl) and marks the beginning of adulthood. This tradition dates back several thousand years. Bat, being Hebrew for daughter and Bar, Hebrew for son; the child is said to become a son or daughter of Mitzvah, or "of the commandments."
Before this pivotal turning point, parents bare the responsibility of a child's observance to Jewish law and tradition. After the Bar Mitzvah, it is the task of the young man or woman to follow Jewish law by the strength of his or her own discipline. It is also at this age that young men and women are welcomed to participate in the Jewish social and community sphere.
Essentially, at the ages of 13 and 12, Jewish boys and girls inherit the legal status of an adult. They are able to possess their own property and get married. They are also legally, ethically and morally responsible for their own actions. They are expected to follow all 613 commandments of the Torah and take part in synagogue.
The Bar Mitzvah celebration, although popular in Jewish culture, is not required. There seems to be, however, two important parts to every Bar Mitzvah. First, there is the ritual at the synagogue and then a reception that follows. At the synagogue, the child will narrate a part of the Torah and participate in a special ceremony. A young man or woman must simply turn the appropriate age to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Nevertheless, the reception that accompanies this holiday has become a kind of right of passage and an event that children and parents look forward to. Great music, fun, fellowship, merriment and dancing are sure to make for a memorable evening.
Planning a Bar Mitzvah can be a whirlwind of excitement, anticipation and frustration. Knowing what to do and what not to do in preparing for one of the most important events of a young man or woman's life can seem like quite an undertaking. Selecting a caterer, choosing the proper venue and drafting the perfect guest list can be quite an enterprise. Choosing an invitation, however, should be fast and easy.
Designing the ideal invitation shouldn't be left to guesswork. There are actually some very straightforward guidelines when it comes to Bar Mitzvah invitation etiquette. While many of the guests on your list will understand the significance of the holiday, there will be those who have never attended a Bar Mitzvah. It is important to keep this in mind when outlining your invitation. While the specific wording of Bar Mitzvah invitations does not require much creativity, you can always make them more impressive with a scripture from the Torah, especially if it will be recited at the synagogue.
Tactfully including information about proper gift-giving is always in good taste when designing a Bar Mitzvah invitation. While most people know that gifts should accompany this event, many friends will not know what kind of offering is appropriate. If tastefully done, mentioning a registry with specific stores listed is suitable or informing guests that savings bonds or college fund donations are accepted is okay.
It may seem obvious but including proper contact information on invitations is essential. Be sure to make the RSVP process easy and convenient for guests and allow a variety of ways to respond. List more than one contact with working telephone numbers, postal and email addresses, and websites that would give guests an insight into the type of venue that has been selected. Verify all information after invitations are printed to avoid embarrassing setbacks because of incorrect information. When it comes to wording, include not only the date, time, and location of the event but also the child's name as well as the names of both parents.
If all your guests will attend synagogue and the reception, only one invitation with both locations needs to be sent; however, if some guests will come to only one or the other, it may be wise to make separate invites for each event. Non-Jewish guests may appreciate only being invited to the reception to avoid uncomfortable discussions about conflicting religious beliefs.
According to Jewish Law, when Jewish children reach a certain age -- 13 for boys and 12 for girls -- they become responsible for their own actions. This era marks the coming of age for a young Jewish boy (or girl) and marks the beginning of adulthood. This tradition dates back several thousand years. Bat, being Hebrew for daughter and Bar, Hebrew for son; the child is said to become a son or daughter of Mitzvah, or "of the commandments."
Before this pivotal turning point, parents bare the responsibility of a child's observance to Jewish law and tradition. After the Bar Mitzvah, it is the task of the young man or woman to follow Jewish law by the strength of his or her own discipline. It is also at this age that young men and women are welcomed to participate in the Jewish social and community sphere.
Essentially, at the ages of 13 and 12, Jewish boys and girls inherit the legal status of an adult. They are able to possess their own property and get married. They are also legally, ethically and morally responsible for their own actions. They are expected to follow all 613 commandments of the Torah and take part in synagogue.
The Bar Mitzvah celebration, although popular in Jewish culture, is not required. There seems to be, however, two important parts to every Bar Mitzvah. First, there is the ritual at the synagogue and then a reception that follows. At the synagogue, the child will narrate a part of the Torah and participate in a special ceremony. A young man or woman must simply turn the appropriate age to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Nevertheless, the reception that accompanies this holiday has become a kind of right of passage and an event that children and parents look forward to. Great music, fun, fellowship, merriment and dancing are sure to make for a memorable evening.
Planning a Bar Mitzvah can be a whirlwind of excitement, anticipation and frustration. Knowing what to do and what not to do in preparing for one of the most important events of a young man or woman's life can seem like quite an undertaking. Selecting a caterer, choosing the proper venue and drafting the perfect guest list can be quite an enterprise. Choosing an invitation, however, should be fast and easy.
Designing the ideal invitation shouldn't be left to guesswork. There are actually some very straightforward guidelines when it comes to Bar Mitzvah invitation etiquette. While many of the guests on your list will understand the significance of the holiday, there will be those who have never attended a Bar Mitzvah. It is important to keep this in mind when outlining your invitation. While the specific wording of Bar Mitzvah invitations does not require much creativity, you can always make them more impressive with a scripture from the Torah, especially if it will be recited at the synagogue.
Tactfully including information about proper gift-giving is always in good taste when designing a Bar Mitzvah invitation. While most people know that gifts should accompany this event, many friends will not know what kind of offering is appropriate. If tastefully done, mentioning a registry with specific stores listed is suitable or informing guests that savings bonds or college fund donations are accepted is okay.
It may seem obvious but including proper contact information on invitations is essential. Be sure to make the RSVP process easy and convenient for guests and allow a variety of ways to respond. List more than one contact with working telephone numbers, postal and email addresses, and websites that would give guests an insight into the type of venue that has been selected. Verify all information after invitations are printed to avoid embarrassing setbacks because of incorrect information. When it comes to wording, include not only the date, time, and location of the event but also the child's name as well as the names of both parents.
If all your guests will attend synagogue and the reception, only one invitation with both locations needs to be sent; however, if some guests will come to only one or the other, it may be wise to make separate invites for each event. Non-Jewish guests may appreciate only being invited to the reception to avoid uncomfortable discussions about conflicting religious beliefs.
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At RSVP etc. Invitations, inexpensive wedding invitations are our specialty. We offer hundreds of the same wedding invitations as top name-brand companies at highly discounted prices.
posted by Marcondes Allen at 12:45 AM
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