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5 Tips to Help You Deliver Your Event Speech Like a Pro
5 Tips to Help You Deliver Your Event Speech Like a ProSo you’ve hired a speech writer for the upcoming event you’ve been asked to speak at. Mazel tov - it’s great you’ve recruited the help of a professional to have your thoughts and feelings transpire in a great...
Why I became a writer
Why I Became A Writer There are a few concrete reasons that I decided to take my path and become a writer. Some of them are more personal, and others tend to lean on the side of professional interests and helping individuals express themselves. I'm taking this...
5 Ways to Make the Best of Sefirat HaOmer to Plan Your Wedding
5 Ways to Make the Best of Sefirat HaOmer to Plan Your Wedding Spring is in the air. In Hebrew they say Spring has arrived and Pesach’s coming (Aviv high’ya, Pesach bah). Well, Pesach’s now behind us, the house is clean, your ducks are in a row, and you’re back to...
5 Tips for Writing a Parent Speech to your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Child
When you stand up to give a speech at your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, it ought to be one of the main highlights of your celebration, not the most dreaded one. For most of you, this might be the first time you will be getting up in public and delivering a speech so it...
BATgirl – Wave your flag!
I started the BATmom blog almost a year ago and this year has been filled with learning, traveling and celebrating. Our celebrations culminated in very special family Shabbat, a Jerusalem Scavenger Hunt with BATgirl’s friends, and a very small and intimate...
The all important 3 M’s of Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts
When we BM parents were growing up, a very common bar or Bat Mitzvah present was a fountain pen. Hence the joke went, when the bar mitzvah boy got up to speak to the synagogue, he would say, “Today I am a fountain pen.” But times have changed, and perhaps the line...
To Speak or not to Speak: A Wedding Question
Speeches at a wedding can be a source of entertainment and enjoyment, or they can be a source of sedation that puts your guests to sleep. Everyone wants their wedding to be a memorable occasion but not because their wedding holds the record for the most people in...
“It’s MY wedding!” The bride, groom and their parents plan a wedding.
Mother and father of the bride – in years gone by. Years ago, the father of the bride 'gave his daughter away’ and sent her off into the world with her new husband who was going to become the new protector and provider. The mother of the bride took responsibility...
The Jewish wedding dictionary
Chatan - groom Kallah - bride Kittel – white garment that some grooms wear Kabbalat Panim – reception, takes place before the Chupa Tena’im – ceremony that takes place during the reception Badeken – the covering of the bride by a veil Birkat kallah - special prayer...
All about the Ketuba
-- The wedding contract -- A ketubah is a special legal document, the marriage contract, which is an integral part of a Jewish wedding ceremony. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom in relation to the bride. It was set up in ancient times by the...
Pidyon HaBen: Cool customs and fascinating facts!
Only 1-of-10 Jewish families ever meet all the conditions for Pidyon Ha'Ben. If you were eligible for a Pidyon Ha'Ben, but did not have one, then you still can and should have one. Speak to your rabbi to arrange the ceremony! Some people have the custom to give their...
The Pidyon Haben Ceremony in 7 easy steps!
1) Find a Kohen who will be happy to partake in this special ceremony. If you are unsure who to choose confer with your local rabbi who will be able to help you. 2) You will need five silver coins, containing approximately 110 grams of silver. Five U.S. silver dollars...
Pidyon Haben 101
Pidyon Ha'Ben, literally means the "redemption of the first born son.” The Pidyon HaBen takes place when the first born who is male, is at least 31 days old. The ceremony involves "buying him back” from a Kohen/Priest in order to release him from the obligation of...
The Jewish birth mother’s prayer
Composed by Shelley List and Yael Penkower. English:Master of the creation: You have made me your partner in creating a new life on this great and wonderful day. My heart is filled with joy! Let my husband and family stand with me and praise Your mercy. For You did...
What is a shalom zachar?
After dinner on the first Friday night after a baby boy is born, it is customary to invite friends and family to a "Sholom Zochor/ Shalom Zachar". This is loosely translated as "a time for wishing peace to the male child." The Sholom Zochor is usually held in the home...
“To Do List” for Your Brit Milah
So much to do - so little time! Here's a 13 point "to do list" for your Brit Milah to help you out! 1. When - The brit milah is on the eighth day of your baby's life, most often in the morning. The Jewish day begins at nightfall of the previous day. For example, if...
The Brit Milah Ceremony
The blessings and prayers have been translated into English, in the ceremony they are said in Hebrew and can be found in the siddur. --The baby is brought into the room-- At the beginning of the ceremony, the mother hands the baby to the kvatterin. Everyone present...
Cut and Dry: How to Talk to Kids About the Brit Milah
Jewish parents who are having a bris (or brit milah) for their 8-day-old son, may find the ritual a difficult one to explain--even to other adults. It is not always easy to defend a practice that requires removing a part of the foreskin from a newborn boy’s penis. How...
Chelsea’s Bat Mitzvah Speech
A Letter from a Mother... Writing a speech for any occasion can be a major undertaking and a daunting task. When it comes to the preparation of a D’var Torah for a Bat Mitzvah, to be delivered by a twelve year old girl, in front of a packed synagogue, the challenge is...
Making it extra meaningful: Second Bar/Bat Mitzvah
It has become an increasingly common practice for adult men and women to celebrate an 'adult" or a "second" Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Many post- bar mitzvah cash-strapped parents would roll their eyes at the very thought of “going through all of that again”, however there...