Life Cycle Events
Customs
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Reform Blessings Before & After the Reading of the Haftarah
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Pledge
This post presents a pledge sometimes recited by the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrant in liberal communities, in which s/he commits to
Hebrew Coming-of-Age Misheberakh Prayers
This post presents the Hebrew texts of four different coming-of-age Mi Sheberach prayers: traditional Bar Mitzvah, traditional Bat Mitzvah, 80
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Trope, Blessings & Readings in Multiple Traditions
This website is an excellent resource for Bar/Bat Mitzvah students looking to learn the traditional Orthodox tunes (trope), blessings and readings
Learn the Reform Blessings Before & After Reading the Haftarah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations.
Misheberakh Prayer for a Bat Mitzvah Girl
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the Mi Sheberach prayer for a Bat Mitzvah girl to
Ketubah Texts from Across the Jewish Spectrum
This 22 page long PDF document includes a variety of different Ketubah (marriage contract) texts in Hebrew and English from
A Traditional Jewish Marriage Ceremony (Outline & Texts)
This article provides an outline of the entire traditional Jewish marriage ceremony, including explanations of the various customs as well
Halachic Prenuptial Agreement
This post includes information about the Halachic Prenuptial Agreement, including a short video from ORA: The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot encouraging
Traditional Blessings Before & After Torah Reading
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading when called
Learn the Blessings Before & After Reading the Torah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading, when called up for an
Learn How
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12 Ways to Make Your Bat Mitzvah Meaningful
This post suggests a list of 12 ways a Bat Mitzvah girl can make her Bat Mitzvah more meaningful, including
What To Expect At Synagogue Services on Saturday Morning
This informative article by Conservative Rabbi Daniel Kohn provides a guide for bar/bat mitzvah guests and other newcomers to Shabbat worship services, including explanations
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Trope, Blessings & Readings in Multiple Traditions
This website is an excellent resource for Bar/Bat Mitzvah students looking to learn the traditional Orthodox tunes (trope), blessings and readings
Parent Blessings Handbook: How to Select, Personalize or Write Your Own
This post contains a 7 page Parent Blessings Handbook designed to help the parents of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah select, personalize
Learn the Reform Blessings Before & After Reading the Haftarah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the reading of the haftarah in Reform congregations.
The URJ’s B’nai Mitzvah Revolutions Innovations Guide
This link will take you to the B’nai Mitzvah Revolutions Innovations Guide, a website highlighting Bar and Bat Mitzvah innovations
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide
This 7 page long guide from Aish.com outlines everything you need to know about the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony. Rabbi Shraga Simmons introduces
Choosing a Wedding Date: Auspicious & Forbidden Dates in the Hebrew Calendar
This article from Chabad.org presents a list of all of the dates in the Hebrew calendar that are considered auspicious, not recommended, or
How to Plan a Jewish Wedding: A Checklist
This informative article provides a checklist of 7 things a couple should consider when planning their Jewish wedding, ranging from how
A Traditional Jewish Marriage Ceremony (Outline & Texts)
This article provides an outline of the entire traditional Jewish marriage ceremony, including explanations of the various customs as well
Halachic Prenuptial Agreement
This post includes information about the Halachic Prenuptial Agreement, including a short video from ORA: The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot encouraging
Dance the Hora: How to do the Jewish Celebration Dance
This minute long animated video teachers viewers how to dance the “hora,” an ecstatic Israeli circle dance with roots in Eastern European folk tradition,
Learn the Blessings Before & After Reading the Torah with “Prayer-eoke”
These two short videos demonstrate the singing of the blessings recited before and after the Torah reading, when called up for an
How to Have an Aliyah
In this 4 minute long instructional video from MyJewishLearning.com, Rabbi Steven Exler explains and demonstrates what to do and say
Aliyah 101: What You Should Know Before Being Called to the Torah
Perfect for beginners, this comprehensive article by Ronald L. Eisenberg explains everything you need to know about the ritual of getting called
Informative Articles & Videos
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Entering Adulthood: The Spiritual Significance of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah
This thoughtful article from Chabad.org gives parents tips on how to transform the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration from a fun party to a meaningful
Bar and Bat Mitzvah 101: History, Ceremony & Contemporary Issues
This informative article provides an overview of the Jewish rite of passage for 12- and 13-year-olds, including the origins of the
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide
This 7 page long guide from Aish.com outlines everything you need to know about the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony. Rabbi Shraga Simmons introduces
What to Expect at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah
This short animated video provides guests with some basic information about what to expect at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah and how
How to Plan a Jewish Wedding: A Checklist
This informative article provides a checklist of 7 things a couple should consider when planning their Jewish wedding, ranging from how
Jewish Weddings 101: The Traditions, Rituals and Liturgy
This informative article provides a basic outline of the Jewish wedding ceremony, including the rituals, customs and liturgy performed before, during,
Why We Break the Glass at Jewish Weddings
This minute long animated video provides three different reasons for the custom of smashing a glass under the chuppah at a Jewish
What to Expect at a Jewish Wedding Ceremony
This minute long animated video briefly introduces various Jewish wedding traditions, including the “ketubah” (wedding contract), the seven blessings under the “chuppah” (wedding canopy),
Aliyah 101: What You Should Know Before Being Called to the Torah
Perfect for beginners, this comprehensive article by Ronald L. Eisenberg explains everything you need to know about the ritual of getting called
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Music
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Elohim Hai: Moroccan Bar Mitzvah Piyut
This 6:36 minute long video presents Rabbi David Kadoch singing two versions of a traditional liturgical Bar Mitzvah song, the first according
Bat Mitzvah Girls Perform “L’Dor Vador” During “Passing the Scroll” Ceremony
This video presents two Bat Mitzvah girls performing “L’Dor Vador” (From Generation to Generation), a song composed by Josh Nelson
Debbie Friedman: The World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song)
This post presents the lyrics to “The World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song),” composed by beloved Jewish American
If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem: A Carlebach Chuppah Song
This audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original melody for “If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem,” a Hebrew song often sung under
If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem: A Chuppah Song
This emotive video features Elior Itzkovitz Cohen singing “If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem,” a Hebrew song often sung under the chuppah prior to
Yaakov Shwekey: Tefilat Kallah – The Bride’s Prayer (English + Hebrew)
With onscreen Hebrew, English and transliterated lyrics, this video by the well-known Jewish musical entertainer, Yaakov Shwekey, presents an emotive rendition
Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov: A Jewish Celebration Song with Subtitles
This upbeat video presents the popular Israeli folk song “Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov” with an on-screen English transliteration of the Hebrew lyrics,
Hava Nagila: A Jewish Celebration Song with Subtitles
This video presents the popular Israeli folk song “Hava Nagila” with an on-screen English transliteration of the Hebrew lyrics. Translated as
Groom Serenades Bride with Eishet Chayil at Wedding
In this romantic video a groom serenades his new bride at their wedding using the popular melody composed by Ben Zion Shenker.
Avrumy Holczler: Professional Hasidic Singer Performs Eishet Chayil at His Own Wedding
This video features Avrumy Holczler, an alto singer in the Zemiros Group, performing an original composition of the first and
What else?
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The First American Bat Mitzvah: A Personal Account
In this article, Judith Kaplan Eisenstein shares a personal account of her Bat Mitzvah, the first Bat Mitzvah ceremony celebrated in
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date Calculator
This online tool from Chabad.org allows the user to enter his/her birth date and time to determine the date and corresponding Torah
Poetic B’nai Mitzvah Ceremony Reading
This poetic reading takes the Bar/Bat Mitzvah boy/girl on a journey from the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai
The URJ’s B’nai Mitzvah Revolutions Innovations Guide
This link will take you to the B’nai Mitzvah Revolutions Innovations Guide, a website highlighting Bar and Bat Mitzvah innovations
Seven Circles: A Wedding Poem Inspired by Kabbalah
This poem is based on the Jewish wedding custom wherein the bride circles the groom seven times underneath the Chuppah. Written
Thoughtful Interpretations of the Sheva Brachot (7 Blessings)
This post, which provides thoughtful interpretations of each of the Seven Blessings recited under the Chuppah during the wedding ceremony, shows
Choosing a Wedding Date: Auspicious & Forbidden Dates in the Hebrew Calendar
This article from Chabad.org presents a list of all of the dates in the Hebrew calendar that are considered auspicious, not recommended, or
Halachic Prenuptial Agreement
This post includes information about the Halachic Prenuptial Agreement, including a short video from ORA: The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot encouraging
A Jewish Wedding Story: Miriam & Babak Talk About Reinterpreting Traditional Ritual
In this 2 minute long video, Miriam and Babak share how they reinterpreted traditional Jewish ritual during their unique mountaintop wedding. With
A Groom’s Eishet Chayil Inspired Poem to his Bride
In this lighthearted, low quality video, Josh Lannik recites an original rhyming poem to his new wife, Liz Shayne, at their
Mother’s Prayer for Bar/Bat Mitzvah Upon Lighting Shabbat Candles
This short English prayer is recited by a mother prior to blessing the candles on the Shabbat celebrating her son/daughter’s