Mitzvahchic: How to Host a Meaningful, Fun, Drop-Dead Gorgeous Bar or Bat Mitzvah

by Gail Anthony Greenberg

Book Overview

An indispensable, modern-day guide to planning the perfect bar or bat mitzvah, celebrating substance and style

There used to be only two approaches to the bar or bat mitzvah party -- a low-key event that reflects the solemnity of this sacred rite of passage or a big bash that has no connection to the religious service. For many, it was an impossible dilemma. Will a big bash trivialize and overshadow the bar or bat mitzvah experience?...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743284925
• ISBN13: 9780743284929
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Indispensible

I've been a committed and identified Jew all my life, and have raised my children joyfully in the tradition. Yet MitzvahChic taught me things I had never known -- about the ceremony itself and about our heritage. Even for people who are not planning a bar or bat mitzvah, this is a wonderful resource. Compact synopses of the Torah portions, suggestions for all kinds of mitzvot you can do, and even a section helping the non-Jewish family members feel welcome and up the learning curve. In fact, that last section has been a good one for many of my Jewish friends who didn't know much about Judaism's history or practices. This is a gem!

AMAZING!

Five stars are not enough - Fifty stars would be more fitting! We are 3+ years away from my oldest daughters bat mitzvah. I've been dreading this time mainly because of the meaningless and costly party that I felt compelled to throw for the occassion. While I am not at all religious, I do have strong feelings for Jewish tradition, culture and history, and wanted the bat mitzvah to have meaning and not be just another over the top theme party. Mitzvahchic is packed with ideas from centerpieces to mitzvah ideas. I felt such relief in finally finding someone who shared my opinions with long uncomfortable candlelighting ceremonies and the never ending video montage! Were you aware the candlelighting ceremony has no religious basis but was created by a caterer to liven up the party?! Gail Greenberg is chockful of ideas to include these elements but in a way which is meaningful and truly honors those who are meant to be honored. If you are in the market for a new approach to your bar/bat mitzvah get this book. You will be overjoyed. Gail Greenberg will become your new best friend. In response to the one reviewer who gave the book one star - it's obvious this was not someone who was looking for a new approach or someone looking to keep mitzvah in the occassion. Party planners plan parties. They don't bring mitzvah or meaning as that's for you to do! Order this book NOW. You won't be sorry!!

Mitzvah Chic

Mitzvah Chic is a fabulous book. It gives great ideas as well as unique and creative ways to get away from the glitsy and overdone affairs which focus more on the party and not on the important part, the Jewish ceremony. It is a book all of those who are planning a bar/bat mitzvah should read!

An outstanding guide for parents and teens alike!

This is my first e-review ever. I'm writing because I'm compelled to let other families know how much practical help and support they will find in this wonderful book! It has really excellent advice on both ceremony and party planning. It helps find a nice balance between the religious aspects and the party, without letting the whole celebration become overly sentimental. We had lots of professional help (florist, party planner, caterer); but MitzvahChic was great in helping us guide and communicate with our professionals. It sparked several new ideas with them, too. The enpowering tone of author made me do things myself that I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Our Rabbi let us write a tallit ceremony inspired by the book to honor a great grandfather! Our twelve year old used it to find ideas to discuss with us. Several guests commented that our speech during the service (written following the book's suggestions) was one of the best they'd ever heard! The resource lists alone are worth the price of the book! Overall, if I were to use just one B'nai Mitzvah planning book, this would be the one!

Refreshing, insightful guide to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah!

This book provides an inspiring, fresh look at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process, which comforts, encourages, enlightens and informs in a concise and witty style. Her tone is conversational and very funny, yet the book is rich, intelligent and full of practical suggestions that can be used either as given or as a springboard for your own ideas. The author feels like your new best friend as you embark on this overwhelming feat of pulling off an American-style Bar/Bat Mitzvah without completely losing sight of it's deeper meaning. In addition to talking you through the whole process--from choosing a date to finding meaning in your Torah portion to designing a beautiful party that reflects this meaning--it provides many lists and charts and a timeline, all of which are extremely practical and easy to use. There are many money-saving tips as well...but the real strength and uniqueness of this book is that it revives an emphasis on the deeper meaning of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and takes that meaning well into the party. Beautiful photos, wonderful and artistic touches, clear and concise instructions. Her website does not seem to be "live" yet--I think the book was newly published at the time I'm writing this--but it looks like it will be a fantastic resource for information and products. I wish this book had been around when we first started planning my daughter's Bat Mitzvah, which is only a couple of months away.....!