A QUICK GUIDE FOR GUESTS

Spencer has worked extremely hard to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah Day and we are so grateful and excited that he will have so many friends and family surrounding him as he becomes a Bar Mitzvah.

Bar Mitzvah Description

Spencer’s Bar Mitzvah service is a regular Shabbat service with the addition of the Bar Mitzvah ceremony. A Bar Mitzvah (son of the commandments) is a religious ceremony for a Jewish boy who has reached the age of 13 and now has the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult. This will be the first time Spencer will be called up to read from the Torah- the Hebrew text of the Five Books of Moses. It is the central and most important document of Judaism. The portion of the Torah that Spencer will read, is the Bereshit portion from Genesis (the first book of the Torah). Spencer’s portion marks the beginning of the annual cycle of Torah readings. He will then read a concluding reading called a Haftarah. He will participate in different parts of the regular Shabbat morning service, with his portion of the Torah service beginning around 10:30am.

Religious Service Etiquette

As a sign of respect, all men wear a head covering called a kippah when in the synagogue. Women have the option to wear a head covering as well if they wish. Wearing a kippah serves as a reminder of G-d’s presence. There is a basket upstairs on the table outside the sanctuary where we have provided kippot for you. Your kippah is yours to keep if you would like. It has been specially designed to commemorate Spencer’s Bar Mitzvah.

Men and some women of the Jewish faith also wear a tallit or prayer shawl. The fringes and knots on the corner of the tallit remind us to live our lives in a holy manner by following the commandments. During prayer, it is customary to have a tallit draped over one’s shoulders. As a mark of entering adulthood, Spencer has the privilege of wearing a tallit for the first time.

Traditionally, both men and women dress modestly for synagogue. Men, typically wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt, often with a tie and a jacket. Women should cover their shoulders (for example, please avoid tank tops, short mini-skirts, or mid-riff tops). Pants, skirts, or dresses are perfectly acceptable following the guidelines above.

Due to religious observances on Shabbat (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday), cell phones, including taking pictures or video, are prohibited in the synagogue. If you must carry a mobile device, please be respectful of this practice and turn it off so that it doesn’t beep, ring, or vibrate.

Guests may be seated wherever they wish (except for the first couple of rows which are reserved for immediate family). Guests are not expected to participate in the service beyond standing and being seated when asked.

When Spencer completes his Torah and Haftarah readings, it is customary for those in the sanctuary to throw candy at the Bar Mitzvah boy to celebrate his tremendous accomplishments! It is also customary to say “Mazel Tov” or congratulations while the candy is being thrown.

If you have any other questions please contact Lisa here.