Our Bar Mitzvah FAQs!

1. May I take pictures during the ceremony?

You may take pictures during the ceremony. However, please do not come up on the Bimah to do so. Also, please turn off the flash while you are in the sanctuary and/or during the service. It is very distracting and we want this day to be as awesome as possible for everyone!

2. Where should I sit?

You may sit anywhere in our congregational seating that makes you feel comfortable. If you need to get up and walk around, please feel free to move to the back of the sanctuary or go out to the lobby.

3. When there is a responsive, what should I do?

That's entirely up to you! Our services are typically participatory, but if you don't feel comfortable, feel free to quietly enjoy the service, read anywhere in the text that you'd like or simply sit and enjoy the day!

4. Should I cheer or clap at the end?

We say, "Mazel Tov!" at the end of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. (We'll let you know when it's time!)

5. What should I wear?

Our synagogue is a House of Worship, just like a church or mosque. We believe that G-d will accept you in our sanctuary, however you are. Our family will be wearing what most people refer to as "church clothes". Whatever that is for you, is fine with us!

6. How long is the service?

The typical Saturday morning Bar Mitzvah service is around 2 hours.

7. Where's the bathroom?

When you exit the sanctuary through the main heavy glass doors, in the lobby the women will be first on the right and the men will be farther down, also on the right.

8. What do I do with the prayer books?

First, please do not put our prayer books on the floor. We believe these to be special and treat them very well.
Second, you may pick one up as you enter the sanctuary to follow along with us.
After the conclusion of the service, please either put them in a book holder on the back of the seats or bring them back out to the cart in the lobby.

9. May I keep the program?

Absolutely!!! Please feel free to take it home!

Feel free to comment below if I have not answered all of your questions!

Bar Mitzvah Project Picked!!

Jonas has picked a Bar Mitzvah project.....

He will be running during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend!!!! (Not in the marathon. more like 10k or 5k depending on how training goes.)

But, he has committed to fundraising $1,500 for the kids of St. Jude!!!

Here's the link if you would like to help him reach this goal:

Http://heroes.stjude.org/jonask

A timeline of events!

Friday, August 4, Temple Israel
530p Pre-Neg; snacks
615p Shabbat Service

Saturday, August 5, Temple Israel
830am family pictures
930am final rehearsal
10am Bar Mitzvah Service

Garibaldi's Pizza
Luncheon following service

Germantown Municipal Park (Pavilion)
5-8p Bar Mitzvah Party

Sunday, August 6, location TBA
HUGS, THANK YOUS AND GOODBYES