Sunday, April 26, 2009

guideline questions

Planning a Bar Mitzvah for your son at the Kotel is not an easy task.
We will help you make a general plan and afterwards get into specifics.
Here are a few questions that you will need to have answers for before starting.
What type of service will you be having?
How many participants will be coming?
What time of year will the bar mitzvah be?
Would you like to play safe or brave it and be happy with what you get?
Would you like a Rabbi to conduct the service or will you be on your own?
Will you be having a brunch following the service?
What timeframe are you allocating for the service?
Are you interested in professional services?
Now for each question here are some things to take into consideration:
The type of service you are interested in is a major factor.
For example: mixed services (reform / conservative) can not be conducted in the main plaza.
Orthodox services may prefer being next to the 'mechitza' divider.
Ultra orthodox services may prefer being in the tunnel or next to the Kotel (wall).
The amount of participants arriving is important for two main reasons:
1. If you will have a minyan of males, then you are more flexible. If not, then you may have to rely on 'guests' or a joint Bar Mitzvah. Reading in the Torah is not conducted with less than a minyan of 10 males.
2. You may want to consider an area covered with an umbrella for smaller groups, in the tunnel for a medium sized group, or for larger groups maybe a totally different venue with shade, which is very close to the Kotel.
What time of year will the bar mitzvah be?
Rain or shine, it is possible to have your Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel - IF planned for appropriately.
Either have a backup plan if it rains, or start off in a closed area - ie. the tunnel.
It is not possible to read the Torah outside when it rains, as this can cause harm to the Torah scroll.
One more thing to take into consideration is seasonal events - holidays, Rosh Chodesh (first day of the Jewish month), fast days. It is important to check with a Rabbi to find out the apropriate Torah portion. Holidays and other special days sometimes impose terrible traffic and it can get extremely crowded at the Kotel. You can get more information on these days on the Internet.
Stay tuned for more...