Logistics

We would describe traditional attire for a bat mitzvah as semi-formal. Men typically wear a suit or slacks and button-down shirt. Women typically wear a dress or skirt or pantsuit. 

We will be providing kippot/yamulkes (head coverings) for those who choose to wear one. Kippot is plural of kippah in Hebrew and yamulke is Yiddish. Head coverings are more typically worn by men, but women may choose to cover their heads as well. At our synagogue, it is not seen as disrespectful if you do not choose to do so, nor is it seen as disrespectful if someone who is not Jewish decides to share in our tradition. Please take one and keep it as a small memento if you wish.

Some may also choose to wear a tallis (prayer shawl). Eliana will be presented with her first tallis at her bat mitzvah.

We will be going from the religious service into dinner and a party. Feel free to bring more comfy shoes, take off your tie, and cut loose. 

Any hotel in Beachwood, Ohio would be 5-10 minutes from the synagogue. We suggest the AC Marriott (which is actually just over the border in Orange, OH) because it is in the middle of an outdoor mall with restaurants and stores. But several others are lovely and less expensive. If you are plugging in the address of the synagogue, it's Mishkan Or/The Temple-Tifereth Israel at 26000 Shaker Blvd, Beachwood, OH. Of course, you might want to investigate other areas of Cleveland if you want to explore the city, but Beachwood is the area closest to the synagogue, which is where both the service and party will take place. If you would like advice/insights, just let us know. 

A bat mitzvah is a very special occasion, and the mitzvah project is an opportunity to live the Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (philanthropy/charity).

For about five years, our family has been consistently donating to our local Little Pantries. Eliana takes particular interest in shopping for shelf-stable food, price comparing, and looking at nutrition labels to find healthy but yummy food for us to place in the pantries. Eliana is going to use a portion of the money she receives for her bat mitzvah to buy food throughout the year to stock the pantries. If you would like to donate gift cards for her shopping trips, gift cards to Heinens, Giant Eagle, or Target would be greatly appreciated.