elanah

Ok, question for all y'all:

I'm attending a bat mitzvah this weekend for my oldest piano student. Now, I remember going to a bar mitzvah when I was young, but I don't remember too many details. Does anyone know enough about the ceremony to tell me what is involved, stuff not to do, etc.?

I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. The chance to view a cultural ritual, plus free food. Now if only it weren't on the same day as state solo-ensemble and prom...

[/babbling]

Shadowy Man

Well, if you are not Jewish, and don't know the prayers, etc. I would recommend doing the following:

Listening and enjoying. Oh, and stand when everybody else stands. Other than that, there's not much you have to do.

And if you go to the reception you can watch junior high kids dance.

Paperstreet

Yeah, only thing you need to know is stand when everyone else does. Depending on the synagogue there may be english readings that you can read or just follow along with.

The after party is usually a lot of fun, and depending on how serious the kid wants it to be, there may be some ceremonial crap, like lighting candles and thanking a family member, along with speeches, that I skipped, because I honestly did not care.

Have fun.

trientalis

It is also customary to wish the bat mitzvah "Mazel Tov", meaning "Good luck".

Have fun.

Marduk

A Bat Mitzvah ceremony shouldn't be much different than a Bar Mitzvah, one is for men, the other (Bat) for women. Don't forget to wear a hat, have fun.

Shadowy Man

And since most American Jews mispronounce it anyway, you don't even have to worry about saying it correctly.

Shadowy Man

Actually, if they are orthodox, the Bat Mitzvah can be quite different than the Bar Mitvah.