Bar Mitzvah help

[MerryPoppins]

Help!

DH and I are patrol parents for our Boy Scout troop. One of the boys in our patrol is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah in May and we got an invitation this weekend. We're trying to figure out if we can manage to make to that or to his Shabbat dinner (not sure what that is, actually), but it's the same weekend as DD's dress rehearsal and dance recital. Eek!

Here are my questions. We are Episcopalians and all of this is new to us. What is appropriate in the way of a gift?

And what do we wear? Do we dress like we would to go to church or is it more formal than that?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm hoping we can work it out, because I love experiencing new things and they are a lovely family.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

for synagogue, dress as though you were going to church. same for the Shabbat dinner.

if there is to be a reception with music and dancing, dress as though you were going to a wedding.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

and for the gift --

for my daughter's bat mitzvah, most people gave her money or gift certificates. a few gave her jewely. it's considered good luck to give money in multiples of 18.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs can vary as much as weddings. I've been to a wide gamut -- from luncheons to black tie dinners and everything in between. I suggest going by the invitation -- how formal it is. Generally I would dress like you would for church.

Have fun!

 

[MerryPoppins]

The invitation is similar to a wedding invitation. We have a little RSVP card to turn back in. So I guess we'll go with suits for the guys and nicer dresses for the ladies if we get to go. That's how we usually dress for weddings. It doesn't say anything about music or dancing. It does say that there will be a luncheon following the Bar Mitzvah and a dessert buffet with the Shabbat dinner.

Glad to hear that money is acceptable. That's an easy one. We'll give him cash.

Thanks for the quick replies. I knew I could count on the CB for answers.