Texas+Celebrations

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Bat Mitzvah Celebration and Party
The tradition of following the religious bat mitzvah ceremony with a celebration or even a lavish party is a recent one. As a major life-cycle event, it is understandable that modern Jews enjoy celebrating the occasion and have incorporated the same sorts of celebratory elements that are part of other life-cycle events. But just as the wedding ceremony is more important than the reception that follows, it is important to remember that a Bat Mitzvah party is simply the celebration marking the religious implications of becoming a Bat Mitzvah. While a party is common among more liberal Jews, it has not caught on among Orthodox communities.

Bat Mitzvah Gifts
Gifts are commonly given to a Bat Mitzvah (usually after the ceremony, at the party or meal). Any present appropriate for a 13-year-old girl’s birthday can be given. Cash is commonly given as a bat mitzvah gift as well. It has become the practice of many families to donate a portion of any monetary gift to a charity of the Bat Mitzvah's choosing, with the remainder often being added to the child's college fund or contributing to any further Jewish education programs she may attend.


 * 1) When a girl reaches 12-years-old she becomes a "bat mitzvah" and is recognized by Jewish tradition as having the same rights as an adult. She is now morally and ethically responsible for her decisions and actions.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Bat Mitzvah" also refers to a religious ceremony that accompanies a girl becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Often a celebratory party will follow the ceremony and that party is also called a bat mitzvah.


 * 1) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">One popular feature of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration is a reception. This should ideally be held on the day which the young man/woman becomes 13/12 years old. If necessary, the celebration may be postponed somewhat.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">There are different practices regarding what is done at a Bar Mitzvah celebration. It is proper for the young person to relate some Torah thoughts at the celebration -- i.e. the famous Bar Mitzvah speech. The speech usually contains ideas from the weekly Torah portion, and emphasizes the young person's commitment to Jewish values.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">And what about that Titanic-themed party with Hollywood-style special effects? It's important that the festivities should not become so ostentatious that the spiritual significance becomes secondary. The new adult should appreciate that this is a celebration of maturity and responsibility, a message which will carry through for the rest of their life.


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 18px;">(4) The Gift **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Now what about the ubiquitous Bar Mitzvah gift? In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Those are just fine but there are much more meaningful gifts for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a **tzedakah (charity) box**. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews' "home town"). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">The next obvious gift is a **Jewish book**. There are many hundreds of titles to choose from, so I've narrowed it down to the **Bar/Bat Mitzvah Top 10**. Just click on the title to order:

**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Womans Museum: **
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**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Fiesta San Antonio: **
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**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Bob Bullock Museum **
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= = = = =**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Famous Sports Figures and Music Stars from Texas **=

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