MAIN Home Life Entertaining Bar Mitzvah

The milestone event in a Jewish boy's life is the transition to manhood. This is the purpose of the Bar Mitzvah. At the age of 13, the boy becomes a full member of the congregation and can take part in religious functions as a man.

Readings from the Torah accent the history of this tradition and illuminate the wonderful fabric of the Jewish heritage they carry forward. The party after the ceremony is also rich in tradition, but the main focus is having fun!

Around the Web, find out more and get expert advice on Bar Mitzvah planning - featuring helpful information on where to find party halls and DJ's, related invitation wording, seating arrangements, speeches, toasts and more ...

More about Bar Mitzvah parties & ceremonies around the Web:

My Bar Mitzvah - Everything you need to know, from history and traditions to all the Maftirs and Haftorahs, plus a searchable database of speeches and stories, invitation how-to's and other helpful tips and hints for making your Bar Mitzvah a success.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning Guide - The complete countdown with suggestions and advice on what to do year by year, and month by month, from the formal Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons to the final seating arrangements for the big day.

Bar Mitzvah Find It! - Bar Mitzvah party planning site searchable by U.S. state or category, including music and DJ's, caterers, party favors, gifts and Judaica, event photographers, videographers and lots more.

Judaism 101: Bar Mitzvah, Bat mitzvah and Confirmation - "Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment" with more basic background on the religious traditions and significance surrounding the bar mitzvah ceremony.

Barmitzva and Batmitzva - A great overview of customs and traditions that play a part in the ceremony including the Tefilin, arriving at neshamah, the reading of the Torah, stories and Biblical quotes, the celebration, and a brief note on making a speech (or how to avoid making one).

Bar mitzvah - A brief history from medieval times to the present with some interesting notes on the origination of bat mitzvahs for girls in the Reformed Jewish movement, from Wikipedia.