Bar/Bat Mitzvah Resources

Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is a milestone in the life of a child and his or her family. We at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have a number of resources available to help you make this event one of joy, warmth and spiritual satisfaction for all. If you are looking for new ideas, for techniques to enhance skills or sharpen knowledge, or for strategies to help maintain the child's involvement in the synagogue post-bar/bat mitzvah, we may have the publication you need.

Explore this section and discover publications and programs you can order, that can help enhance your celebration.

• "Mazel Tov! Your Child's Bar and Bat Mitzvah" - A brochure designed to explain, in friendly language, the importance of kashrut at the meal celebrating this event. Published by the Committee on Commitment and Observance. Cost: $.35 each, plus 75 cents postage; packets of 10, $3.50, including postage. For information on ordering, contact the Education Department, Ext. 2500
• "Tefillin: And You Shall Bind Them" - Written by Rabbi Martin I. Sandberg, this book for pre-bar and bat mitzvah age children provides a rationale and how-to information on Tefillin. It is richly illustration with photographs and graphics. Cost $5.95. To order, contact the Book Service, Ext. 2003.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel - Let our Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem, or our USCJ Travel partners, help you arrange your bar/bat mitzvah in Israel. For information, e-mail israel@uscj.org.
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah Certificates - Have you seen our new bar/bat mitzvah certificates? Printed in Israel exclusively for the United Synagogue, the four-color 13 3/8" x 16 5/8" documents include titles in gold foil and make a striking presentation that will honor not only the recipient and family, but the congregation as well. They are available in two versions, to accommodate both egalitarian and non-egalitarian congregations. Price $4 each. Quantity discounts available. To order, contact the Book Service, Ext. 2003.
• Successful Synagogue Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programs - The following materials, available from the Department of Congregational Programming (ext. 2205 or 2620), contain information about successful synagogue programs -- sent in by the synagogues themselves!
  • Bar.1 Bat/Bar Mitzvah - Adult: Pamphlet on successful Adult Bat/Bar Mitzvah programs.
  • Bar.2 Guide to Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parents: Informational guide for parents.
  • Bar.3 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Policy: Guides for parents explaining procedures, expectations, and choices dealing with all aspects of preparation & planning to help families organize & plan. Explains in an efficient & friendly format aspects of ceremony.
  • Bar.4 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Articles: Reprints of articles and pamphlets for enriching the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience with preparatory workshops, social action, among others.
  • Bar.5 Family Programs - The Mitzvah Project: Approaches for Social Action.
  • Bat.1 Bat Mitzvah Invitation: Pamphlet sent to invitees describing basics of Bat Mitzvah ceremony, protocols and expectations. Also included is an informational booklet with various suggestions for conducting the ceremony.
  • Dav.1 Daveners Award: Ideas Ideas for post Bar/Bat Mitzvah involvement.
  • Fam.6 Family Council: Education outreach programs for greater involvement of parents of children in Hebrew School programs.Can be used for Bar/Bat Mitzvah programming.
  • Fam.19 Family Education Goals: Family education goals from two synagogues.
  • Fam.21 Making A Mensch: A successful family program of activities, education and social action.
  • TP #2 Putting Mitzvah Back Into the Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Programs for Bar/Bat Mitzvah students focusing on continued learning and fulfillment of the Mitzvot.
  • TP #3 The Family Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Programs that stress the importance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah for both the students and their families.
  • TP #17 Involving the Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students in Synagogue Life: Programs that encourage and reward post Bar/Bat Mitzvah students for their continued involvement.