Ask any parent who has ever celebrated a Bar Mitzva for his son and they will tell you that the planning such an evet can easily take an entire year, especially if you want to celebrate it in Israel in style.
So, to help you out in the process and ease the stress, we bring you 5 simple and easy steps to have a fun and easy planning.
Step 1: Get to know the Rabbi
As reading the Torah is a central part of the Bar Mitzvah, and preparing for it takes about a year, make sure you meet the Rabbi who will be teaching your son throughout this year.
Set a date with the Rabbi for the reading and that will help you determine the date of the celebration.
Step 2: Find the right place
Soon after you set the date for the reading of the Torah, start looking for a place for the party.
Make a list of all the places you like and that are within your budget and share them with your son, to make sure the place you eventually choose fits his unique taste and his idea of the event.
For example, if your boy likes nature, we can assist you in planning a great event in Masada or the Guvrin caves.
Choose a place that best suits what you are looking for, whether it is an event in nature or an event in a luxurious event hall, bearing in mind the type of guests who will be coming to the event, such as small children or old people that require consideration.
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Step 3: Plan the list of guests
Making a list of all your guests will help you both get a sense of the number of people who will be coming to the event and, accordingly, the size of the place you need to choose for the event.
You also need to decide whether you want to make one list of two lists of guests, one for the reading of the Torah and one for the party itself.
If you plan on having the reading at the Western Wall, we recommend and can help you plan a meaningful and interesting tour in Jerusalem, to accompany and enhance the experience the reading, for example at the Western Wall tunnels. Make sure you prepare a list of guests for this even as well.
For the making of the lists, you can use any of the websites that offer a free application or system for managing your guests list.
Step 4: Managing your suppliers
The place where you choose to have the party will determine your needs in terms of suppliers such as catering, music, entertainment, attractions, photographers and D.J.
If you choose an even hall, it is most likely that the catering and the D.J, and possibly even the photographer, are part of the services provided by the place. But, if you are having the celebration at a club, you may need to bring in the suppliers yourself.
Make a list of all the suppliers you will need, even the flower or the balloon guy, to make sure you did not forget anyone.
Step 5: Beauty is in the details
To make sure you covered everything, prepare a very specific and detailed excel checklist of all the things you need to do, in days, weeks and months. This will enable you to see the full picture of your event planning. Or, let us do the planning for you, so you can just relax and enjoy the event when it comes.
It is also recommended, where relevant, to add to the list all the expenses, to help you better plan your budget.
Throughout the process, keep in mind that celebrating a Bar Mitzvah is part of the Jewish tradition, an event full of meaning and history.
More importantly, try to enjoy the whole process. This will guarantee enjoy the event as well!
