Mitzvahs

The Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah ceremony in the Jewish faith, is a celebration of a boy or girl becoming an adult. For boys, this happens at age thirteen and for girls, at the age of twelve. Bar Mitzvah is the Hebrew phrase meaning "son of the commandment" and Bat Mitzvah means "daughter of the commandment."

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah means that a boy or girl has become an adult, and is fully responsible for his, or her morals and religious duties. It also means that he, or she has become a full-fledged member of the Jewish community, and must follow the rules of Jewish life - The Commandments.

After fulfilling your family heritage’s commitment with pride, a well-deserved gala celebration is on the agenda. This is one of the most memorable events in the life of a young Jewish boy or girl and their family.

You've got the Bar Mitzvah's place, the people, the food, the favors. . . Don't forget one of the most important ingredients -- the music! The songs you choose will become a part of the memories that will stick with you for the rest of your life.

This is not the time to make careless decisions.

Your choices for Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah music are limited only by your imagination. The only guideline you should be aware of is that you want to entertain your guests, not drive them away. It's an added bonus if the music compliments the theme and style of the day. Whatever type or types of music you decide on, remember that this form of entertainment is a gift to your guests, to add to their enjoyment of your event. Your best bet is to go with an inclusive song list that covers a broad spectrum of musical tastes. We currently have thousands of song titles in our music library, so regardless of what songs you decide on we probably already have them.

We will be happy to work with you to help achieve the ultimate experience, for that special young person in your life. We provide more than just a DJ. A common Bar Mitzvah entertainment package for about 150 guests would include a staff of four: MC (master of ceremonies, emcee), a DJ (disc jockey, dee jay), and two motivational dancers.

Because of the significance of this type of event, you do not want to place your faith in just any disc jockey entertainer. At A & A, we take careful consideration in conducting a celebration as important as a Bar Mitzvah, or Bat Mitzvah. The entertainment team leads the party. The DJ and MC arrange the games, play music, and sometimes just let people sit and talk. They keep the kids entertained, control the pace and make your child the star! We know that such an event requires hours of planning and preparation for each hour of performance time.

You set the standard for how you want the evening to be scheduled. Discuss your wishes with us and ask for advice, if needed.

Here is a suggestion for a time line.

Remember, all this can be changed to the way you like, there are no strict rules here. This is YOUR Day.

The Meet and Greet: The evening typically begins with a cocktail hour in the reception hall. The DJ will play some nice background music, while you greet your guests. Usually during the cocktail hour, in party hall the DJ will entertain the young adults with games and dancing.

After the cocktail hour, the MC will invite your guests to enter the party hall. When everyone is in, it is time for the grand entrance of the BM and the family. The grand entrance is the official opening, in which the family and BM are formally introduced to the room.

The order of entrance is traditionally as follows:

The parents

Brothers and sisters

Last, the BM

During the entrance the DJ plays music. You can have one song played for all or dedicate a different song for each person.

The guests will be asked to find their seats and the Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of wine or grape juice... Then the challah cover is removed and the Motzi blessing over the bread is recited.

Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe

who brings forth bread from the earth.

(Amen)

and in Hebrew:

Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam

ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.

(Amen)

Next dinner. At this time, the DJ usually plays quiet background music. If doing a video montage it is usually played towards the end of dinner, at dessert time.

For those finishing dinner early we can keep games and interactive activities going on the dance floor.

Then the candle lighting ceremony. (Completely optional)

Next comes the special dances of the BM child and parents.

Then the dancing time with high energy and interaction fun. The MC will get everyone on the dance floor!

The next event is usually the Hora. It is customary to raise the honoree and his or her family members on a chair during the hora.

How to dance the Hora?

It is easy! Here are the 10 steps you have to follow:

1 - Stand in a circle holding the hands of the people on either side of you.

2 - When the music starts, follow the circle as it rotates.

3 - Step to the side, passing your left foot behind your right.

4 - Move the right foot beside the left foot.

5 - Step to the side again, passing your left foot in front of your right this time.

6 - Continue as the circle keeps spinning, adding a little hop to your steps as

you go faster.

7 - Move toward the center of the circle and throw your hands, still holding those of the people beside you, in the air.

8 - Lower your hands and move backward.

9 - Repeat several times.

10 - Resume spinning around the circle.

All this is done while holding hands and circling together in a fast and cheerful motion to the right. In large groups you can create several circles while the smaller circles are inside the bigger circle and so on. Typically, Hora is danced to the music of Hava Nagila, maybe the most popular, well-known Jewish song throughout the world.

Now the MC will keep everyone on the dance floor, until time for the last dance!

This is only a suggested time line, it is up to you to set it as you like. Best wishes for a happy and memorable event! Similar to wedding receptions, there is no "one right way" to provide entertainment at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party. Entertainment styles, timelines, and packages can vary greatly from party to party.

Follow the link below for some helpful tips with your candle-lighting ceremony, we hope you find them useful.

While in the planning stages for your event, plan the order of events carefully (for example, speeches, a special dance and/or a presentation of some kind). Also,. look closely at our party props. Our experience has proven these to be an indispensable part of this type of celebration.