After all, its the thought that counts. But for some, a traditional candle lighting ceremony doesnt fit into their vision of the perfect event. Id like to call up to light the tenth candle for WisdomCHACHMA. There are no particular ritual obligations, and though chanting Torah or Haftarahis customary, it may not be the best choice for your family. Now your mind turns to the reception and the candle lighting ceremony. *This post may contain affiliate links. nightfall (tzeit hakochavim) This blog was written by Xplosive Entertainment, a boutique inspired signature style event firm based in Manalapan, New Jersey. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hi Jacki, thanks for sharing your experience. find domain name . That candle will then go and light the remainder of the table until you are left with a room full of lit candles. Have them film interviews with honorees. 4. Our personal favorite is the Circle of Light. Instead of individually calling friends and family members up to light each candle, you hand out candles to your entire party and the host family goes and lights one candle from each table. Update: This idea went very well. This is why it is so important that along with the poem or short anecdote you read during the ceremony, you choose candle lighting songs that are personal and showcase your connection to the people that you are lighting the candle for. Written by, Michael Langsner, Vice President of Xplosive Entertainment. alternatives to candle lighting Archives - The Mitzvah Bowl We used little glo-sticks to give to everyone and the kids took turns announcing family. Your email address will not be published. And yet others run into a situation where there are too many people theyd like to include and they worry about leaving somebody out and causing hurt feelings. That was pretty much it. At first, is just the backer board with the puzzle pieces traced out and numbered. Sand ceremonies have also grown in popularity as many see it as better, socially distanced alternative. Dear Janet, many thanks for taking the time to write. I've had clients do as few as three, like a past, present and future candle." Candy candles at Jake's bar mitzvah. ). . With the right team behind you (DJ, MC, Event Planner) everything will go smoothly and the party will always rock! 13 candles are the most typical amount, but you can do any number. The bottom line is that however you choose to perform your candle lighting ceremony, be assured that there is no right or wrong way. I explained (quickly!) Nobody wants to have a boring and vanilla party. No one knows exactly when it beganor who startedit, only thatthe popularity of the candle lighting ceremonyhas grown to the point where its now an expectedoccurrence at anyNew YorkMitzvah celebration. We will get back to you right away. Suite 105Manalapan, NJ 07726, Copyright 2023 Xplosive Entertainment | Site Design by Simple SEO Group. 100 Popular Theme Ideas For Bar & Bat Mitzvah Parties, https://www.xeevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Candle-Lighting-Song-Suggestions-1.pdf. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ideas and Primer for Interfaith Families is also available as a PDF document. Many such "unaffiliated," and even those who consider themselves Jews with no religion, still hold a strong connection to Judaism, and still desire bnai mitzvah for their children. We light this candle to symbolize the light of this congregation which invites others to share its message and joy. This week's Torah portion is Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim. A candle-lighting ceremony is a wonderful way for the Bar Mitzvah boy or Bat Mitzvah girl to recognize and honor the important people in their lives. At 2 minutes per candle, this eats up 28 minutes of your party. Unique Bar & Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ideas Bar Mitzvah Candle - Etsy Pronounced: baht MITZ-vuh, also bahs MITZ-vuh and baht meetz-VAH, Origin: Hebrew, Jewish rite of passage for a girl, observed at age 12 or 13. Vibrant purple lighting, floral bouquets, and glowing candles elevated the space into a memorable setting. Manymitzvah momsstruggle with the tradition of candle lighting. The candle lighting ceremony ends when the Bar/Bat Mitzvah blows out all of the candles. The debate, however, is whether or not to have a candle lighting ceremony and/or how to make it unique or abbreviated without offending those who should be recognized. The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness. This can act as a visual representation of all the people who came together for the big day, and can last forever as a display piece in your house or your teens bedroom. You can really expedite a candle ceremony or help a shy guests of honor who doesnt want all attention on him or herself, by dedicating your candles as follows: Past: those who are no longer with us, aka, your memory candle, Present: all in attendance. Instead, each person honored was asked to pour a glass of wine into an oversized goblet for a Cup of Life ceremony. We light this candle to celebrate laughter and humor and the joy that comes from being alive and kvelling at each others simchas or times of happiness. Thank you for leaving this blog post up, so many great ideas. Pronounced: MITZ-vuh or meetz-VAH, Origin: Hebrew, commandment, also used to mean good deed. So, how do you keep your candle lighting ceremony fresh and engaging? Read aboutone familys Brit Atid experience. Seven Alternatives to Traditional Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremonies. over the years, finding new and unique ways to incorporate their party themes, likes, and the people closest to them into their ceremonies. (Courtesy of Jewish Journey Project). Make sure all guests are seated and attention is focused, etc. Both sets of grandparents can be honored with one candle, as can aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of the family. Good luck is the well deserved selfish candle. Many of them. They worry about offending or excluding family and friends, their kids spend hours writing rhyming poems instead of studying their Haftorah portions and song selections become a family debate. A candle lighting ceremony is an often included piece in a Mitzvah party. Because you mean so much to me and Im grateful that youre all here today to help me celebrate, Id like to call upon each of you to participate in my candle lighting from your tables., 1. Alternatives to a Candle Lighting Ceremony | MitzvahMarket Candle Lighting Songs for Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah There is no right or wrong way of doing the candle lighting. Or, is there a track linked to a particular memory you have with this person? Shabbat Times for Los Angeles, California, USA - Hebcal It stands for the future. (adapted from In Any Event Blog) 1. They work with students long-distance via Skype, and officiants are willing to perform bar or bat mitzvahs in a childs hometown, or even travel to a destination ceremony. In addition to explaining the significance of each parent, grandparent, or friend, the child can consider sharing a unique life lesson or value that each individual has . If you would like to include every party guest, you can separate the attendees into larger groups and have everyone stand up at their seat instead of coming forward. We are having our party right after the service at Chabad, so we can not do the candle lighting. Id like to call to light the eighth candle for CharityTZEDAKA. Glasses of wine can be poured in place of lighting candles, too, and passed around to age appropriate guests to sip (we suggest grape juice or sparkling cider for the kids). If you already have photos of the B Mitzvah teen with the special people in their life, having friends and family help build a collage of important moments is a great alternative to candle lighting. If you are stumped with the rhymes, check out Rhymer or Rhyme Zone.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'bestmitzvahs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bestmitzvahs_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'bestmitzvahs_com-leader-2','ezslot_7',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bestmitzvahs_com-leader-2-0'); WHO SHOULD WE HONOR? PLANT A TREE Instead of lighting candles, plant14 trees in Israel. Now, when I whistle, I realize its because Im content. Id like to call up to light the fourth candle for FriendshipCHAVERIM. At another Bat Mitzvah, Sarah Merians Photography and Videography captured family and friends as they added dirt, seeds, water and plant food into planting pots. My parents work colleagues and their spouses, 12. If youre looking for some new honorific inspiration, here are six creative ways to keep the sentiment of candle lighting without falling to the same old, same old. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The true sentimental feel comes from the guest or honor being him or herself. Since the goal of the ceremony is to celebrate and unify, the hands of loved ones organized into some shape or pattern can really hold a lot of meaning. 7. We then asked special friends (who didnt fit a category, like former babysitter and her fiance) and then the congregation. Would my grand parents please stand and light their candles now (mention names). At the end of the day, a candle lighting ceremony or any alternative is about bringing together the ones that are close to you and your B Mitzvah teen. Entertainment 2.0 - What Does It Look Like? Oh and I also forgot to bring my son around with me! (Courtesy of 's Raising the Bar families) Guests helping unroll the Torah at the Jewish Journey Project's Brit Atid ceremony. My son just signed up and I know it will be a really meaningful connection for him. Required fields are marked *. In 2012 the Union for Reform Judaism launched the Bnai Mitzvah Revolution, with the goals of creating more engaging ways to mark a bar or bat mitzvah for the youngster and his or her family. Continue with Recommended Cookies. As guests were called up, they first lit their candle (battery operated) and then came up to the cake for a picture. 9. after school activities (hockey, gymnastics, etc. All the while, the underlying question remains how can a Bar Mitzvahcandle lighting ceremony be unique, memorable and cool, all at the same time? We just hope to instill a few important points into our clients vision. HOW MANY CANDLES SHOULD I HAVE? ), 11. (Courtesy Jewish Journey Project) A "Raising the Bar" alternative bar/bat mitzvah ceremony. The DJ, caterer and photographer should all be well versed in quickly and seamlessly expediting a candle ceremony. We are going to use that for our sons Bar Mitzvah this month. The candle lighting ceremony will undoubtedly be emotional to all those involved, but it also puts a stop to the DJ and the dancing for a solid bit of time during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Be creative and have fun with it! Of course the event manager forgot to dim the lights first (and so did I) so the impact was less spectacular at the end than I had hoped, but everyone loved the idea! Manalapan, NJ 07726, Copyright 2018 Xplosive Entertainment | Site Design by Simple SEO Group, LOCAL: (732) 866-1620 TOLL FREE: (866) XPLO - ENT, Xplosive Entertainment 223 Freehold Rd. Some opt out of the candle lighting because it either takes take too long, interrupts the flow of the party, or the fear of excluding some people. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lookup.