What do you Bring as a Gift to a Bar Mitzvah?
A bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah marks the entry of a 13-year-old boy or girl into the adult Jewish community. The first act as an adult is to read that week's portion of the Torah in Hebrew during a Sabbath service held in a temple sanctuary. A social celebration usually follows with singing, dancing and blessings. To honor the achievement, gifts are bestowed upon the celebrant at the reception. Here are some gift ideas.
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Jewelry
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Boys and girls will appreciate Jewish-themed jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet featuring the Star of David. Many Jewish males find meaning in donning a chai pendant hanging from a silver or gold chain. The Hebrew word "chai" is rich in tradition and means life and a wish for longevity.
Books
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Books that cover an aspect of Jewish culture or history can serve as a keepsake for the bar mitzvah child. Sports fanatics might appreciate "Great Jews in Sports," by Robert Slater, while history buffs would devour "Great Moments in Jewish History," by Elinor and Robert Slater. "Jewish Literacy," by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, offers a well-written, concise overview of Judaism, covering almost every aspect of Jewish culture, religion and history.
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Money
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The most traditional gift for a bar or tat Mitzvah is money. While it may seem impersonal, it allows him or her to purchase exactly what they want or can be put into a college fund. Money is often given in multiples of 18 because the Hebrew word "chai" has a numerical value equivalent of 18. The size of the monetary gift varies in different regions of the country. To determine the amount to give, an important consideration is the relationship between the guests and the child and family.
Stocks & Bonds
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If you want to make a monetary gift more personal, you can give a savings bond or stock in a family-friendly company. Companies such as Disney and Hasbro will issue one share and provide a decorative certificate that you can offer as the gift. Go to the bar mitzvah section at oneshare.com for stocks from some of America's favorite companies.
Charity
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Make a donation to the child's favorite charity in her name or one that relates to one of his hobbies. For instance, animal lovers might appreciate a contribution to the ASPCA, while a musical child might value a check written to The VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
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