Bar or Bat Mitzvah Kiddush Luncheon (2024)

FAQs

What is kiddush luncheon at a Bar Mitzvah? ›

Definition: A kiddush luncheon is a quick nosh immediately following a morning service, generally lasting a maximum of 2 hours. It's usually bagels, lox, tuna and other cold food. No alcohol is generally served and there is no entertainment. It's simply food and shmoozing.

Since it is Shabbat and traditional Jews do not use an oven, the luncheon usually consists of a cold, dairy meal including platters of bagels, cream cheese, lox, egg salad, tuna salad, fruit salad and/or cookies.

For a bar or bat mitzvah, it's standard to give an amount that's a multiple of 18. In Jewish tradition, 18 symbolizes “chai,” Hebrew for “life.” Giving an amount that's a multiple of 18 is a way of symbolically gifting a long and happy life to the young person of honor.

White is the first color that should be avoided during a Bar Mitzvah. Some other colors that should be avoided are black, denim, camouflage, any colors that are especially bright, neon colors, and red.

Dress "tzunis!" That's Hebrew for modestly. The bar or bat mitzvah dress code depends on the synagogue and should be spelled out in the invitation. Men are typically expected to wear a suit or slacks and a tie. Women should wear a modest dress or formal pantsuit.

Kiddush, Jewish benediction and prayer recited over a cup of wine immediately before the meal on the eve of the Sabbath or of a festival; the ceremony acknowledges the sanctity of the day that has just begun.

Wine is preferable, but kosher grape juice is okay. Don't eat or drink before kiddush—starting from sundown of Friday night, and after the prayers on Shabbat morning. If no wine or grape juice is available, recite the kiddush on challah or bread.

Kiddush Cup

The cup must hold at least a revi'is (3.8 fl. oz.; 112 ml). It is mehudar (best)to recite Kiddush using a silver becher.

A gift in the order of something like triple 'chai' or $54 would be a neat idea to give from teenager to teenager at the bar mitzvah. If your whole family is going, you should be giving in the nature of about $75 to $100 a person (half for your kids).

What is the average cash gift for a Bar Mitzvah? ›

In the Jewish tradition, Jews consider multiples of 18 to be fortunate and use them for gifts and contributions. Multiples of 18 are common Bar Mitzvah cash gifts. Popular gift amounts include $36, $54, $90, $108, $180, $360, and $540. Consider what you want to give and calculate the closest multiple of 18.

Just as a non-Christian would not take communion, so, too, synagogues have frameworks within which non-Jewish family members can participate. Teach non-Jewish family members about the upcoming ceremony of Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

A bar mitzvah ceremony is a religious event that celebrates when a Jewish boy reaches the age of maturity and becomes responsible for his own actions. The bar mitzvah ceremony consists of a number of traditional rituals, including the reading of the Torah, the giving of a speech, and the breaking of a glass.

For a bat mitzvah gift, it's hard to go wrong with a beautiful Star of David necklace or bracelet in rose gold or the recipient's favorite precious metal. You can also look for jewelry that features religious motifs like the chai symbol, the tree of life, or a mezuzah pendant.

Wine is preferable, but kosher grape juice is okay. Don't eat or drink before kiddush—starting from sundown of Friday night, and after the prayers on Shabbat morning. If no wine or grape juice is available, recite the kiddush on challah or bread.

As on Jewish festivals, the minimum volume of kiddush beverage on which you may say Shabbat kiddush (or havdala) is a revi'it, as follows: 4 fl. oz. (119 ml) for d'oraita cases such as Shabbat (or first-day Jewish festival) evening kiddush, and.