| I was once at a Jewish wedding, where, as the bride | | | | If a course is too much for you, you can choose a |
| and groom approached the Huppa, the music stopped, | | | | Jewish book to read together. This can be a growing |
| they turned around to face their family and friends in | | | | and learning experience for the two of you. Some |
| the audience, and the groom announced: "I know that | | | | recommended books are To be a Jewish Women by |
| this is unconventional, but we wanted to stop time, a | | | | Lisa Aiken, or The Diary of Anne Frank, or For Kids - |
| minute before we become husband and wife, and | | | | Putting G-d on Your Guest List, by Jeffrey K. Salkin |
| dwell upon the magnitude of this moment". At that | | | | She can discuss the book as part of her Bat Mitzvah |
| point both bride and the groom shared their thoughts | | | | speech. |
| about their pending marriage with each other and | | | | --Learning with a mentor-- |
| those present, before continuing to Huppa. | | | | Personalize your daughter's bat mitzvah learning with a |
| Before your daughter's Bat Mitzvah, one of the most | | | | tutor or mentor! You can choose what is important for |
| important landmark occasions in the life of a Jewish girl, | | | | your daughter to understand, as she stands on the |
| it is important to consider the significance of the | | | | threshold of Jewish womanhood. Are there questions |
| occasion, and the impact that it will make in her life. | | | | that she frequently asks with regard to Judaism? Is |
| Judaism now considers that she is ready to take | | | | there a topic that she is particularly interested in, but |
| responsibility for herself as a member of the Jewish | | | | don't know how to explore it from a Jewish |
| community - but what does that mean and what does | | | | perspective (like the environment, the status of |
| that entail? | | | | women, etc)? Does she want to know about her |
| Like the husband and wife, who, a just before their | | | | Jewish name, and explore the qualities of women who |
| marriage, stopped time to contemplate it's significance, | | | | have borne this name? All these are ideas for the bat |
| it is highly recommended that the Bat Mitzvah girl | | | | mitzvah learning with a mentor. You can even do this |
| experiences some meaningful moments to help her | | | | from the comfort of your own home. |
| dwell on what she is about to undergo and what are | | | | --A Bat Mitzvah Project-- |
| the implications of her new status in life. Here are | | | | Responsibility for the world around us is one of the |
| some wonderful and creative avenues through which | | | | hallmarks of Judaism. In a Bat Mitzvah project your |
| she can prepare for the occasion. | | | | daughter can contribute a few hours a week to |
| --Preparation course-- | | | | others. She can volunteer to work in a shelter for the |
| Attend a course in which you will learn relevant | | | | homeless, help out in a kindergarden, with friends she |
| material towards the occasion of your bat mitzvah. | | | | can prepare a show for senior citizens, or participate in |
| Many Jewish synagogues, temples, community centers | | | | a marathon to raise money for a cause that is |
| and even schools communities have some sort of | | | | important to her. She can report back on her |
| learning program which will give your daughter a firm | | | | experience in her Bat Mitzvah speech. |
| basis to understand the importance of her role as a | | | | --Giving Tzedaka-- |
| woman in Jewish life. | | | | Giving charity is one of the highest ideals of Judaism. |
| --Attend a mother and daughter bat mitzvah course-- | | | | What a great time to teach your daughter this value |
| This is a wonderful time to strengthen the bond | | | | by encouraging her to partake of this mitzvah. She can |
| between you and your daughter - you are after all the | | | | design her own invitations and photocopy them instead |
| next two links in the chain of Jewish generation, and a | | | | of having them printed. The money that you have |
| learning program aimed at tightening the bond between | | | | saved on printing you can donate to one of your |
| you can be very powerful. For more information about | | | | favorite causes. Or she can commit to donating a |
| mother and daughter bat mitzvah programs in various | | | | certain percentage of her Bat Mitzvah money to a |
| Jewish communities click here. | | | | cause that is important to her. |
| --Prepare as partners!-- | | | | |