The Best Bar/bat Mitzvah: A Guide To Planning The Perfect Party

Creating an unforgettable bar/bat mitzvah, the Jewish rite of passage for 13-year-old boys and girls, is a complex endeavor, involving not only the customs, rituals, and rules for the ceremony itself, but also the myriad of possibilities and details of throwing a fantastic party. Whether it's finding the right synagogue and selecting a mitzvah project or choosing party favors-such as Chinese takeout containers filled with colorful candy-this original new guide to planning a bar or bat mitzvah is filled with inspiring ideas.

Planning the Perfect Day outlines the history of the bar and bat mitzvah, offers options for menus, entertainment, decorations, and activities, and addresses the etiquette of hosting the event. With beautiful photographs that provide the party-giver with creative examples, this must-have primer will lead celebrants and their parents through the entire planning process. AUTHOR BIO: Amy Nebens, a former editor for Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings, writes articles for a variety of lifestyle, women's, and shelter publications, including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Home, and Shop, Etc. Ellen Silverman is a New York-based still-life photographer whose specialty is lifestyle photography. Her work has appeared in numerous books including The Neiman Marcus Cookbook and Simple Stunning Weddings (STC) and such home and food magazines as Metropolitan Home and Real Simple. David Lewis Sternfeld is an award-winning photographer and videographer based in New York City and Montreal. He specializes in photographing bar/bat mitzvah celebrations, weddings, and corporate events. With business partner Avis Richards, he also produces documentary films.

The observance of the Jewish coming of age is an automatic rite for every 13-year-old Jewish boy and girl, and, for many, it's the cause for much fanfare. It can also be the cause of significant stress, which is where this well-laid-out book comes in. Nebens, a former Martha Stewart Living editor, advises parents to start thinking about a bar or bat mitzvah when a child turns 10, since there are classes to attend, a ceremony to prepare for, Torah portions to be learned and, of course, a celebration to plan. With advice from professionals as well as parents and children who've been there, done that, the book describes the different types of services and the symbolism that's part of each, and gives ideas on how to personalize a service (a Hebrew term glossary and Torah primer are helpful additions). A timeline tells readers when to sign up for religious school training and when to book a synagogue date; and ideas for invitations, party venues, themes, centerpieces, catering, entertainment, photography and favors abound. The book's design is streamlined and modern, and there are plenty of photos. Much of the advice seems targeted toward upscale events (in regards to selecting a cake, Nebens says, "Forget the idea of a simple birthday cake. After all, the cake at an event like this is a showpiece"; and ideas for "side entertainment" include paintball and a "video wall"). Still, the budget planner will help readers in any financial situation make use of this soup-to-nuts resource.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.