The Ultimate Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Book: A Guide to Inspiring Ceremonies and Joyous Festivities

More than ever, Jewish parents are looking for imaginative ways to blend traditional and personal values into their child’s bar or bat mitzvah, creating a stirring ceremony and a truly joyous party. Now, this refreshingly contemporary guide shows them how.

A bar or bat mitzvah can be a magnificent occasion, but all too often parents are baffled about how to make their celebration meaningful, beautiful, and fun--all at the same time. In The Ultimate Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Book, Jewish food and culture writer Jayne Cohen and event planner Lori Weinrott explain how parents can create a celebration that truly reflects their traditions and their child's personality. Cohen and Weinrott use their expertise to demystify every aspect of planning the big day--from synagogue facilities, Torah portions, and the timing of the ceremony to working with a tutor and special "mitzvah projects." For the festivities that follow, they make the traditions come alive, with details on everything from a do-it-yourself "Coat of Many Colors" party to a dinner dance inspired by Exodus. Essential information includes:

•Tips on tasteful motifs and how to carry them throughout a celebration
•Expert advice on menu planning and hiring a caterer
•Ideas for dazzling decorations and breathtaking seasonal flowers
•A fresh look at candlelighting and other customs
•Kid-pleasing entertainment that fits the spirit of the occasion
•Scrumptious recipes, sample timelines,and budget guidelines

Filled with stories that showcase the wide world of bar and bat mitzvah possibilities, this inspiring book is an essential guide for families beginning the bar/bat mitzvah journey.

JAYNE COHEN, author of The Gefilte Variations, has written articles for Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and Food & Wine. LORI WEINROTT, cofounder of Peachtree & Ward Catering in Philadelphia and partner of its kosher division, has organized countless bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. Please visit www.ultimatebarbatmitzvah.com.