“Kid, you’ll move mountains! You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” -Dr. Seuss

 

Austin Mitzvah Photographers | Bar & Bat Mitzvah Planning Guide

“They just grow up too fast…” is a phrase often spoken by parents reminiscing about the sweet days of childhood. But then, overwhelming love and pride fill our hearts when we watch our kiddos work hard to reach new milestones and achieve great things. It’s a funny balance. Childhood is so precious, but at the same time, we can’t wait to watch our children take flight and soar on to new adventures. What an incredible gift it is to watch them grow! And it is an incredible honor to be the Austin Mitzvah Photographers for these lovely families.

That’s what makes mitzvahs such unique, time-honored traditions. A mitzvah is not necessarily the end of childhood but rather a purpose-filled turning point in a child’s life. It is an exciting coming-of-age time when the bar or bat mitzvah is ready to take on new responsibilities, understand religious precepts, take part in public worship, and live with intentionality. It’s their first step toward independence!

If you would like to learn more about mitzvahs, or if you have an upcoming mitzvah ceremony and celebration to plan, here’s a typical schedule of events. We have added plenty of pictures to depict the order of events, attire, ceremony, celebratory foods and activities, and more. We’re excited to be your Austin Mitzvah Photographers, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have.

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What is The Difference Between Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah?

Both bar and bat mitzvahs are not events but people—in Hebrew tradition, a bat mitzvah is a “daughter of the commandment,” and a bar mitzvah is a “son of the commandment.” But the terms also refer to the celebrations that accompanies the religious milestone.

What is a Bat Mitzvah?

A Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for girls that usually occurs when they turn twelve or thirteen years old. Becoming a bat mitzvah—or daughter of the commandment—is a meaningful time-honored event that marks the beginning of a young girl’s adulthood in the Jewish faith and community. During the ceremony, the bat mitzvah will recite a blessing or give a speech. The following Bat Mitzvah celebration commemorates her transition to adulthood, and she is welcomed into the Jewish community as an independent adult with responsibilities and rights. A Bat Mitzvah is also a time for friends and family to celebrate the young girl’s accomplishment and share in her joy.

What is a Bar Mitzvah?

Similarly, a Bar Mitzvah is a celebration that marks the coming of age of a Jewish boy. It is traditionally held when the boy turns thirteen and involves a ceremony in which the boy reads from the Torah. The celebration is comparable to a Bat Mitzvah, with family and friends coming together to celebrate this momentous milestone.

A bar or bat mitzvah is not just about the big party (although that part is pretty awesome, too). It’s the person family and friends are celebrating that matters most. If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, this post is for you!

Photo Opportunities During the Mitzvah Celebration Weekend

 

Bar & Bat Mitzvah Pre-Celebration Portraits

A few weeks before the mitzvah ceremony and celebration weekend, most bar and bat mitzvahs star in a photoshoot, which can also include family members. Most parents want portraits of their son or daughter from this milestone year, and we aim to capture their personality as authentically as possible.

For location inspiration, I recommend going to meaningful locations. For instance, one equestrian enthusiast took some of her photos at the horse stables where she trains. A studio, coffee shop, family home, and ballpark are a few more examples. Feel free to share an inspiration/Pinterest board with examples you like. You’ll get a couple of outfit changes, and we can also incorporate your mitzvah party theme. Just let me know what you have in mind. Austin has a variety of backdrops and options to choose from. When the big day arrives, featuring portraits of the honoree at the bat or bar mitzvah party is a must!

Addison’s Paris-themed bat mitzvah photoshoot was too cute not to show off. Find more inspiration in her photoshoot gallery here.

Documenting Bar & Bat Mitzvah Projects with Austin Mitzvah Photographers

A Mitzvah Project (or Tikkun Olam) is a way for a bar or bat mitzvah to live out their faith through acts of service. The project provides the opportunity to take an active role in helping others and improving the world. Students choose a service category and take on a project that improves their local community or supports a charitable organization.

Mitzvah project ideas include:

• Volunteering with young children
• Raising donations for a charity
• Organizing a community project

#MitzvahQuest has some great ideas to get you going: https://mitzvahquest.org/mitzvah-project-ideas/

Don’t forget to take photos of your Mitzvah Project and document the start of a lasting impact. We can take photos of the process or the finished project. Your Mitzvah Project photos help document this milestone in a Jewish child’s faith.

Mitzvah Planning & Traditions

What to Expect at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah from Beginning to End

 

Day 1

Shabbat Dinner

The weekend of celebration typically begins with a traditional Shabbat meal. Shabbat itself means “day of rest,” lasting from Friday at sundown until Saturday evening. During that time, family and friends share three meals together. The first is dinner on Friday evening, followed by the Kiddush luncheon the next day and another light meal on Saturday afternoon. The purpose is to spend quality time with your closest family and friends while sharing a multi-course dinner. It gives the family time to savor the moment, relax, and focus on what’s most important.

Typically, a Shabbat dinner includes lighting candles in preparation for the dinner, singing traditional songs, sharing words from the Torah, and praying.

Shabbat Dinner Symbolism

The family lights candles to symbolize the separation of Shabbat from the rest of the week, and the traditional songs and words from the Torah are shared to honor God and the Sabbath. The Kiddush wine is a way to give thanks for the day, and the Challah is a reminder of the manna given to the Israelites in the desert. It’s a joyful time spent sipping on Kiddush (“blessed”) wine and sharing a braided loaf of bread called Challah.

What to Expect at the Shabbat Dinner

Eating a special meal is also an important part of the Shabbat dinner. It usually includes traditional dishes such as roasted chicken, matzo ball soup, and potato latkes. After the meal, Shabbat is celebrated with singing and dancing, accompanied by traditional Jewish music.

If you’re hiring a professional photographer for the mitzvah weekend, the Shabbat Dinner is intimate and private, a special time reserved for friends and family. We can take a few photos at the beginning, or you can skip photos of this event.

Day 2

Temple Ceremony & Tallit Presentation

Although it’s not permissible to photograph the actual mitzvah ceremony at the Temple Beth Shalom synagogue in Austin, I can photograph the rehearsal, which is similar. To begin the ceremony, the bar or bat mitzvah’s parents present them with a special Tallit, or prayer shawl. The tassels on the shawls (called Tzitzit) serve as reminders to observe the commandments. After putting on the Tallit gifted by the parents, the confirmation ceremony occurs. The bar or bat mitzvah participates in the Aliyah (or “going up” in Hebrew), where they recite a blessing and read from the Torah publicly for the first time.

Kiddush Luncheon

Immediately following the bar or bat mitzvah service, friends and family gather for another meal. A Kiddush blessing is recited, and guests mix and mingle before the party. The Kiddush luncheon is usually a light meal with finger foods rather than a large sit-down gathering. Since it is Shabbat and traditional Jews do not use an oven, the luncheon usually consists of a cold, dairy meal including platters of bagels, cream cheese, lox, egg salad, tuna salad, fruit salad, and cookies.

Often, families serve something fun, like a cereal bar with all kinds of cereal, strawberry milk, and chocolate milk. Add a coffee bar with personalized toppers by Riser, and everyone is happy (and caffeinated!).

There is usually a specific place at each synagogue where this happens, a social hall, multi-purpose room, or similar. At Temple Beth Shalom, this room is in the same building next door, so it’s very convenient! This is a great time for the bar or bat mitzvah to greet and chat with relatives so they can spend time with friends later on during the evening party. Think of this as an ice breaker before the party—everyone can reconnect in anticipation of the full celebration later in the evening. 

The Big Party! Bar & Bat Mitzvah Celebrations

Then, it’s time to celebrate–in style! Even those who aren’t Jewish are at least somewhat familiar with bar and bat mitzvah parties. Like a sweet 16 or quinceañera, this is a time to dress up and get your party on. Bar and bat mitzvah party themes vary from traditional to modern. Guests can expect to have a great time with karaoke, dance competitions, and even mini-golf activities. The possibilities are endless! There’s usually a DJ, dinner, entertainment, and dancing. We’ve seen a variety of creative themes, from Sweet Paris and Under the Sea to futuristic light shows and disco themes. No matter the theme, it’s always a ball!

Some bat & bar mitzvah entertainment ideas include:

• Magic show
• Carnival games
• Photobooth
• Glam bar
• Arcade games / basketball arcade game
• DJ / Band / Dancers
• Henna or temporary tattoo artist
• Caricaturist
• Karaoke
• Food stations / food bar / food truck
• Comedian
• Airbrush artist
• Candy making stations

A Little Bit Extra…

Mitzvahs are especially known for their personalized touches that reflect the bar or bat mitzvah’s style and personality.

Some ways to personalize the mitzvah celebration include:

• Custom swag bags
• Signature drinks (for kids—and adults 😉)
• Personalized Step & Repeat photo backdrop
• Custom GOBO lighting
• Portrait displays / posters

What to Do with Your Mitzvah Photos | Products & Displays

Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is a huge accomplishment not just for the young adult but for their family, too. It’s a time to celebrate and recognize their unique accomplishments and commitment to their faith. Hiring a photographer for this event allows you to enjoy and cherish every moment, knowing every detail and special moment is being documented. When you receive your photo gallery from the day or weekend, you can replay the events as if they happened yesterday.

Mitzvah albums and books make beautiful gifts, coffee table centerpieces, and priceless mementos. Photos are the best way to preserve and showcase our fondest memories. We offer beautifully crafted heirloom albums and books to keep your photos safe and vibrant for years to come.

Austin Mitzvah Photographers

Here to Document One of Life’s Most Momentous Occasions

Celebrating your child’s bar or bat mitzvah soon? Hi, we’re Cory and Gia, your Austin mitzvah photographers. We would love to be there to help you document every moment of it while you enjoy the big day.

Simply connect with Austin Mitzvah Photographers by filling out a Contact Form for more info, and get ready to say Mazel Tov!

Austin Mitzvah Party Vendors

Looking for an excellent bar or bat mitzvah vendor team? Here are some great ones to get you started! This vendor team helped design and coordinate a gorgeous Parisian-themed bat mitzvah. The entire team was fantastic to work with and made sure this was a day to remember for the special bat mitzvah.

AUSTIN MITZVAH VENDOR TEAM :: Event Planners & Designers : Caplan Miller Events // Ceremony & Reception Venue, Catering & Desert Bar :: Four Seasons Austin // Floral & Balloon Installation :: Melony Rodwell of Crush Events // Balloon Sculptures :: Austin Balloon Collective // Carnival Games ::  Circus Picnic // DJ & Dancers : PRP Entertainment  // Rentals : Whim Hospitality & LOOT // Lighting :: FILO Productions // Alpha Letters :: Alpha-Lit Austin // Linens :: Nuage & La Tavola // Hair :: Ron King Salon // Austin Bat Mitzvah Photographer : Cory Ryan Photography