Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah Survival Guide:

Thank you for coming to Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah. We are thrilled you are able to make it and share in our simcha (celebration). This page has been put together as a bit of a guide for those who may not be so familiar with the protocols of going to a Synagogue.

A Bar Mitzvah is a ritual which signifies the passage of a child to adulthood….

General Information:

Time: The Synagogue service starts at 9:30 and completes at around 12:00, followed by a light smorgasbord luncheon (Kiddush) in the Synagogue foyer. It is reasonable to arrive and be seated between 9:30 and 10am. Entrance is through the front steps and doors facing Toorak Rd.

Electronics: Before entering, please ensure mobile phones are turned off or set to silent and remain out of sight. No electronic devices are permitted in the Synagogue on the Sabbath. This includes iPods, games, cameras & videos as an example.

Parking: Parking is available in the streets around the Synagogue. Please observe the local restrictions. St Kilda Rd and Toorak Rd provide the best opportunity to park. Parking directly outside the front of the Synagogue, even for drop off, is not permitted.

Dress code: Both men and women should dress nicely, formally and modestly. Generally for men a suit is best and a modest dress or skirt (not pants) for the women. 

Where to go: Upon entering the Synagogue foyer, the doors at the ground level are the main entrance for the Men only. The Women sit upstairs and young children under 13 can choose and alternate between upstairs and downstairs if they wish. Stairs can be found on either side of the foyer and will lead you to the balcony area.  Women, look out for Carolyn and Men look out for Ben so you can join the rest of the party. Feel free to come up to us and say hello or find any empty seat and make yourself comfortable. If everyone is standing and silently praying (this happens a couple of times during the service), please wait until the verbal praying starts before moving through the congregation.

Service: Most of the service is in Hebrew. Feel free to pick up a prayer book (Siddur) and look through the English translation. The page numbers will be displayed at the front of the Synagogue on a manual display board. During the course of the service there are special prayers requiring you to stand if you are physically able. The best way to follow this protocol is to follow the lead of those around you; no kneeling is ever required. It is OK to talk quietly and generally move around, however please be respectful that there is a service in progress. Soon after Daniel has completed his section and the Torah has been wrapped & returned to the Ark, the Rabbi will give a sermon in English. During this time, silence is required and we do recommend young children be taken out side or to the park for a break and some fresh air.

Daniel: Daniel will be called up to the Torah (Bible scroll) and be asked to read from it. This is done in a couple of sections and takes about 20-30 minutes in total. After Daniel completes reading his first section from the Torah and says some prayers, get ready, because this is where the ladies pelt lollies down upon the men. It is a celebration and this signifies that Daniel has completed the minimum requirement to be seen as a man in the eyes of G-d. The lollies will be provided and handed out upstairs. Make sure children move downstairs into the men’s area soon after Daniel starts so they are ready for the ensuing lolly scavenge which happens very quickly and is a lot of fun.

Men & Boys: Must wear a head covering. This is usually in the form of a skull cap, or otherwise known as a kippah. We have special kippahs for Daniel’s Barmitzvah for you and these will be available at the entrance of the Synagogue (not for females). Please do not go past the foyer without placing one of these on your head. They are burgundy in colour and have an inscription inside. These are for you to keep as a memento. Also, once inside, you will notice that some people are wearing a prayer shawl known as a tallis. This is only a requirement for married Jewish men. Do not be concerned that you don’t have one.

Women: It is customary for married women to wear a hat, however this is not mandatory.

Thanks again for joining us and we hope that this short guide helps you. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. In case of emergency, you could lean forward and hold your ankles, or for a more effective method, call us if you have any more questions.

Love Nin, Ben, Daniel & Ash