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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: One Bar
Mitzvah, Hold the Camels - View
Online
- WHY IS THIS PARTY DULLER THAN ALL OTHERS?
- Groundhog Day Syndrome
- The Hazards of Being Yourself
- Being Judged on Your "Bar Mitzvability"
- Why So Many Events Feel Generic
- WHERE PARTY EXCITEMENT COMES FROM
- Let's Get Emotional
- Making It Special
- ORDINARY VS. MITZVAHCHIC, WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
- Catch the Euphoria
- Make Guests Feel Treasured
- Keep the Focus on Your Child and the Message of Mitzvah
- Avoid the Ordinary - Use Only Fabulous Solutions
- THE MAJOR PARTY DECISIONS YOU HAVE TO MAKE FIRST
- What Time of Day and Year Will You Have It?
- One Family's Answer to the Day vs. Night Dilemma
- Picking the Place
- Choosing the Music
- Should There Be Special Entertainment?
- THE LITTLE PARTY DETAILS THAT REALLY MATTER
- The Theme
- The Invitation
- Popular Invitation "Openers"
- Personalizing the Wording to the Portion
- What Else to Include
- Candle-Lighting
- Tribute Videos
- Occupying Small Children
- Ice-Breaking for Strangers
- THE TORAH FOR THE FARCHADAT (CONFUSED)
- Using the Torah Summary to Choose Your Date
- Books and Videos that Bring the Torah to Life
- "Firsts" in the Torah
- How the Torah is Made and Organized
- Torah Portions with Reading, Viewing & Web-Surfing Suggestions
- BASICS OF THE SERVICE
- What is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
- The Shabbat Service
- Personalizing the Service
- What to Tell Your Friends About the Service
- Top Ten Things Non-Jews Want to Know About the Bar or
Bat Mitzvah
- FOR THE NON-JEWISH PARENT
- Why Intermarriage Upsets People
- Feeling Accepted by Your Jewish Family
- Feeling Accepted by the Jewish Community
- Resources for Intermarried Families
- WRITING A GREAT SPEECH AND FINDING THE COURAGE TO GIVE
IT
- Helping Your Child with the D'var Torah
- Your Speech to Your Child
- Quotes to Get You Going
- Overcoming Your Nervousness
- MAKING YOUR EVENT MORE OF A MITZVAH
- What Are the Mitzvot?
- Where to Start
- Finding a Mitzvah Project
- Twinning
- Buying Products With a Conscience
- Other Great Charitable Ideas to Use at Your Event
- Donating Money to Charities
- Do-It-Yourself Opportunities
- PARTY IDEAS FOR EACH TORAH PORTION
- Using Torah and Holiday Themes at the Party
- Finding the Products and Charities Listed Here
- Hunting Online by Yourself
- Party Ideas For Each Portion
- Jewish Holiday Summaries and Symbols
- EIGHT COMPLETE PARTIES THAT WILL LEAVE YOU FARKLEMPT!
- Beginnings
Genesis, Bereshit and bar mitzvah all mean a new beginning
- Song
Reflects on the tradition of song in the Torah and how we've
all been inspired by song
- Saving Grace
Recalling and honoring those who risked or gave their lives
to save others
- Gifts
The Torah is God's gift to the Jews and to humanity
- Shine
Inspired by the priestly blessing in Naso
- Heart
From the Ve'ahavta, "…put these words on your heart…"
- Dreams
Jacob and his son Joseph both had dreams that changed the
course of their lives and of history
- Tzedakah
All Jews are obligated to pursue justice through charitable
deeds
- CRAFTS FOR STYLE AND THERAPY
- "Just for Fun" Party Items
- Crafts from "Eight Complete Parties That Will Leave You
Farklempt!"
- Crafts from "Party Ideas For Each Torah Portion"
- MITZVAHCHIC ON A BUDGET
- Invitations
- The Party Space/Catering
- Music and Entertainment
- Decorations/Party Favors
- Photography
- THE KIDS HAVE THE LAST WORD
- Plan what you will, but the kids will be the final judges.
What kids say makes a mitzvah party great…or not.
- TIMELINE AND CHECKLISTS
- Master Timeline
- Figuring Out the Budget
- Questions to Ask the Rabbi/Cantor
- Insider Tips on Hiring Great Vendors
- Tracking the Guests
APPENDIXES
Appendix 1: General
A wacky, eclectic grab-bag of information you'll need to create
some of the projects or moments in this book. Includes prayers,
a recipe for manna and a suggested playlist for a CD of freedom
songs.
Appendix 2: Party Resources
Find everything from "Eight Complete Parties That Will Leave You
Farklempt!"
Appendix 3: Craft Resources
Find everything from "Crafts for Style and Therapy"
INDEX
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