How to Perform a Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting

Sharing your Bat Mitzvah with family and friends is an essential aspect of this special day. With a candle lighting ceremony, you can pay tribute to the important people who have helped shape your life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Songs for each candle being lit
• Poem reading at the ceremony

Design the Structure of the Ceremony

1. Choose how many candles you are going to light during the ceremony. Most ceremonies have either thirteen or fourteen candles to represent your age, with one sometimes for good luck.

2. Decide which important people are going to be invited to light candles. Traditionally honored folks are close family members and friends, relatives who have passed away, those who couldn't make it to the Bat Mitzvah or special out-of-towners.

3. Decide on an order for calling up the honorees. Many people first light a memorial candle, then call grandparents, aunts and uncles, then cousins, older relatives and younger relatives. Finally, family friends, child's friends, siblings and parents. Sometimes the Bat Mitzvah girl will light the final candle.

4. Select the music that will be played while you perform the candle lighting ceremony. Typically, each candle lit has a different song pertaining to the person or people being called. Cue the songs up to recognizable and relevant sections and communicate them to the DJ or band.

Write the Poem for the Ceremony

5. Consider the style of the poem and if you would like it to rhyme or be free verse. While rhyming is cute and catchy, free verse gives you more room to share heartfelt sentiments.

6. Write a few lines for each person or group who is lighting a candle, and perform each segment separately. You can also choose to write one longer (but not too long) poem that you will read before the people are called up, and then just read their names.

7. Make reference to identifying details and humorous anecdotes for each candle lighter to add spice and personalization to your poem.

8. Draw upon aspects of the relationship you share with each person, and what influence they have had upon your life.

9. Don't despair if you get stuck for words. You can ask friends or family members for help, or even get a professional to write the poem for you. Online companies such as ezSpeechWriters can take your stories and descriptions of each person on your list and create a beautifully written poem for you to perform.

Tips & Warnings

• Think about donating a small amount to a favorite charity for each candle, in the name of the person you are calling.
• Don't feel as though you have to memorize the poem for a good presentation. It is perfectly acceptable to read the poem, as long as you do it with expression.
• Use good public speaking principles when performing your candle lighting ceremony. Remember to maintain good posture, enunciate words and speak slowly.