Table of Contents

In the Beginning 3

Torah Learning and Chesed 4

Inviting Classmates 4

Shabbat Celebrations 5
● Housing
● At Shul
● The Kiddush or Luncheon
● Shabbat Afternoon Activities

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parties 6

Guidelines for Attending a Classmate’s Simcha 7

In-School Celebrations 8

Gift Program 8

After Your Simcha 9

Chesed Opportunities Appendix 10

Library Centerpieces / Library Donation 16

2
 ‫בס"ד‬

!‫מזל טוב‬
Mazel Tov on the upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah of your child! Planning for this simcha is a
wonderfully exciting time that can be filled with both anticipation and anxiety. We present this
booklet as a guideline to serve as a resource as you begin to plan for your simcha.

A Yasher Koach to parents from previous classes who have contributed to the ongoing
development of this booklet. If you have any suggestions, thoughts, issues to consider, pitfalls to
avoid, planning tips, success stories – we would like to hear from you and incorporate your ideas
and suggestions into future editions of this booklet.

In The Beginning

Determining the Bar Mitzvah Parsha

The bo bayom is the day of a boy’s actual Hebrew birthday. On that day, the child becomes a Bar
Mitzvah, a Jewish adult who is fully responsible for the performance of the mitzvot. A child
cannot lead a minyan in kriat haTorah until the day of his bo bayom. Please note: In the Hebrew
calendar, the calendar day begins with sunset. Therefore, when determining a child’s Hebrew
birthday, someone born at night is the same as being born during the following day.

Please visit https://www.hebcal.com/hebcal/ to find a calendar with all of the Hebrew dates

and the parshiyot read on each Shabbat.

A Bar Mitzvah parsha is determined by which week the bo bayom falls out on a child’s 13th
birthday. The parsha chosen is whatever parsha is read after that day. If the bo bayom is on a
Wednesday, for example, then the Bar Mitzvah parsha will be the parsha read on the following
Shabbat.

A child automatically becomes a Bar Mitzvah on the day of his bo bayom. If there is a reason
that the family cannot celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on the Shabbat immediately following the bo
bayom, then the family could select any parsha following that day.

Setting the Date

Make sure to clear the date with the school calendar to avoid conflict of two smachot. Shalom
Bayit is one of the highest values in the Torah and maintaining harmony in our school
community is more important than having a simcha exactly on the day of the Hebrew birthday.
Please contact the PTA Bar/Bat Mitzvah Calendar Coordinator at htpta@hilleltorah.org to
inquire about availability and to schedule your simcha.

A great resource for ideas and suggestions is your child. What your child likes is very likely to be
a good indicator of what his/her peers will like. Consider involving your child in planning the

3
simcha to the extent that he/she feels comfortable. To avoid hurt feelings, either the entire
grade or all children of your child’s same gender, are to be invited to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Also,
during the weekend, do not invite “most” or half of the kids to a luncheon and leave out others.
We ask that you encourage your child to attend both the tefilla services and the parties of all of
their classmates. This is important for building class unity and spirit, as well as enhancing the
simcha of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Torah Learning and Chesed

As you begin to plan, keep in mind that the essence of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is becoming
obligated in the mitzvot. To mark this occasion, most students take on a learning and/or chesed
commitment in the year or months before their simcha.

There are so many options for Torah learning: Chumash, Navi, a Megilla, Mishna, Tefilla,
Halacha, Tehillim, Gemara etc. Many students will take on a unit of study and make a siyum at
their party. Involving your child in these decisions can help make it something that they will
connect to.

In planning for the learning, it is also important to consider the right person to study with your
child: you, a relative, a friend of the family, a teacher, your shul Rabbi, or any combination of
these. Take into account the relationship between your child and his/her tutor. This learning
relationship often goes on for a long time and is very important. The person you choose should
not only be well versed in the subject matter, but should be someone with whom your child is
comfortable. Consider not only a one-on-one encounter, but one that includes one or both of
the parents learning together with the child and tutor. The school can also be a resource to help
find the right person for your child.

In addition, many students will commit to taking on a chesed project. We recommend a chesed
that the child can be involved in themselves and something to which they feel connected. This
should also be a process where the child is involved in making the decision. See the list of
chesed opportunities at the end of this booklet.

Inviting Classmates
Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations are a great opportunity for building class unity and spirit. Towards
that goal, and consistent with the general Hillel Torah guidelines, classmates should be invited
as a group – one gender or the entire grade – to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration. The same
applies to a weekend. Parents should not invite “most” or half of the kids to a luncheon and
leave out the others. To make sure everyone is included, please get an updated class list from
the school office.

4
Shabbat Celebrations
Housing

The children usually make these arrangements on their own. While this process generally works
well, there have been times when a child has been left out. It is important that we as parents
acknowledge, together, that we must take care of our children, not only physically, but also
emotionally. It can be very upsetting to a child when he/she is not included. All parents are
encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open regarding the well-being of their child and his/her
peers. If accommodations are not available, some families have offered to host children from
other neighborhoods for Shabbat Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations. If you can host a child from the
class for Shabbat, please contact the Bar/Bat Mitzvah community parent representative to add
your name to the hosts’ list.

Note to parents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Families who host your child’s friends are important
partners in your simcha. It is important for them to know your simcha’s schedule so that they
can provide meals, when necessary, supervision, etc. for the time periods when the children are
not occupied by the Bar/Bat Mitzvah activities. Also, consider calling or sending a note to the
hosting families thanking them for hosting the children.

Note to Hosting Families: Please make sure to provide adequate supervision to the children
staying at your home. This includes having the children at shul on time for davening and to hear
their friend’s laining, speech, etc. Also remind them of appropriate behavior at shul. On Friday
nights and Shabbat afternoon children often socialize informally by visiting and walking from
house to house. At these times it is important that you know where the children are going.
Chaperoning the walk is imperative to ensure each child’s safety. When they are in your home,
make sure that appropriate activity and adequate supervision is provided at all times.

At Shul

Before a child participates as a guest at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah of a friend, it is imperative that

parents take time to discuss in detail appropriate behavior for shul and the party. Children are
expected to stay in shul throughout the services, Torah reading, and speeches. They are to
actively participate in the davening, avoid talking or playing so they properly represent their
family and school, and do not disrupt the simcha.

Remind your child that they are not only guests of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child, but also
represent the school in public. Their behavior should make us all proud. You may wish to ask
friends of the family to keep an eye on the children and to patrol the halls outside the sanctuary
to ensure that they are not “hanging out” there.

5
The Kiddush or Luncheon

Space: It is vital that space be adequate for the number of guests. Shoving and fighting can
erupt if children feel they are being too crowded.

Food: Please ensure that all food meets kashrut guidelines. Please be aware of the possibility
of children’s special needs – cholov yisroel, allergies, etc. Please speak to your child in advance
about the importance of waiting to hear kiddush from the Rabbi before starting to eat, as well
as not pushing or grabbing for food. As hosts, think about serving “kid food” to the children,
because they don’t necessarily like fancy adult food. Consider serving them the types of food
they’ll happily eat. Ask your child and his/her friends for their suggestions. We strongly advise
vigilant supervision over access to alcoholic beverages at the Kiddush table!

Speeches: Limiting the number and length of speeches helps curb children’s talking and restless
behavior. If you are having a luncheon, consider having the speeches at the beginning of the
luncheon when children are most attentive, or spread them out throughout the meal.

Shabbat Afternoon Activities

Parents have found that the children enjoy having a Shabbat afternoon activity and/or a Seuda
Shlishit for their friends. This need not be extravagant or overly burdensome.

If it is too difficult to add yet another event to an already busy and exciting day, consider
exchanging hosting duties with the family of another child in the class: you host an activity or
Seuda Shlishit for them on the Shabbat of their Simcha and they in turn do the same for you.

Instead of having a full meal at this time, consider serving a light meal.

Bnei Akiva can be a resource for afternoon. Please call the Lishka at (847) 329-8682 to make
arrangements. The children enjoy preparing and presenting songs and skits for each other. The
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is given kavod and positive attention by his peers, while the children find the
skits meaningful and entertaining. Adults, on the other hand, are not always an enthusiastic
audience for this type of entertainment; therefore, an excellent time for the presentation of
such songs and skits could be while the children are together at the afternoon activity or Seuda
Shlishit.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parties

If you choose to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party, set a time frame with a reasonable start and
finish. Parents should either know in advance what time children are to be picked up or know
that the children will call when ready for pick-up. If parents are to await a call, make sure a
telephone is available at the party location. The first option of having a set pick-up time avoids
having children “hanging around” unsupervised while waiting for pick-up.

6
If there is a bus ride involved, please provide proper supervision for the students on the bus.

The school policy is NO MIXED DANCING. Please respect this halacha, as well as the feelings of
students who will be uncomfortable attending a mixed dancing affair. The school will not
endorse the attendance of our students at any parties that will not follow this rule.

Make sure the activities are age-appropriate and of interest to your child and his/her peers.
(Consider asking your child for his/her input and suggestions.)

Make certain that the children are adequately supervised and kept interested and involved in
the activities. Depending on the type of party, consider hiring high school or Bnei Akiva
students to help supervise the children and keep them involved. Parents have reported that
this works especially well with simcha dancing.

Giving children a place and meaningful activity at the simcha makes them feel that they are
important. When children are treated with respect and their needs are addressed, they will
respond with respect. Children rise to the occasion, just give them the opportunity.

If you choose to use the services of a D.J., please advise him of the No Mixed Dancing Policy of
the school. Appropriate music helps create the character and atmosphere. The primary music
should be Jewish music. Think about what is appropriate for a communal event. We understand
that each family has its own traditions, but please be considerate to make sure every child
would be comfortable and reflect the character of a Modern Orthodox school.

Seat some of your friends (parents) who are familiar with the children in the class near the
children’s tables. Ask them in advance to keep an eye on those tables and “shush” them if
necessary. Also consider spreading children’s tables out rather than having them all together in
the same area.
Problems can occur during “down time” – e.g., when guests are first arriving, while children are
waiting to be served, etc. As you plan the party, mentally picture the event step by step,
identifying any points of potential “down time”. Try to fill these time slots with some type of
supervised, engaging activity.
Consider the best way to serve the food you have chosen: buffet-style, served at the table, etc.
If you are serving buffet-style, take into account that children often hesitate to make their way
to the food on a table surrounded by adults, even it means missing out on the meal. An easy
solution is to serve the children from a separate buffet table.

Guidelines for Attending a Classmate’s Simcha

The out of school celebration provides an opportunity for the children to rejoice with their
classmate and contribute to the simcha. It goes without saying that upon attending a simcha,
we expect all of our students to conduct themselves with mentchlechkeit. The following

7
guidelines provide a direction for the students in order to insure that they use this opportunity
to shine and create a Kiddush Hashem. These guidelines will be reviewed with the students:

1. Please respond to invitations promptly. Students should make every effort to attend a
classmate’s simcha. If you are unable to attend, please have your child notify the host as
soon as possible.
2. Please make sure to dress appropriately in modest attire. If the celebration is on
Shabbat, appropriate Shabbat attire should be worn throughout the day.
3. Upon arrival at the simcha, your child should immediately seek out the parents and
grandparents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, introduce him/herself, and extend a sincere mazel
tov and thank you for being included in the simcha.
4. Please remind your child to behave appropriately. Though speeches may at some point
become tedious, it is important for our children to maintain proper derech eretz
throughout the affair. Cell phones should not be in use during the speeches.
5. Children should join in the tefilla if tefilla is part of the simcha. Children should attend
shul in a timely fashion and should remain in shul for the duration of the davening.
6. Though it might be crowded, please wait patiently to partake of the buffet.
7. Please encourage your child to participate and join in the zmirot, dancing, and ruach.
This is a momentous occasion in the life of your child’s classmate. It is the job of every
guest to enhance the experience for all to enjoy.

In-School Celebrations
Family members are encouraged to join the celebration in school when boys put on their tefillin
for the first time and when they “lain” and receive their first aliya at the school Minyan on the
Monday, Thursday, or Rosh Chodesh before their Bar Mitzvah. Please feel free to bring an
appropriate snack, which has an appropriate hashgacha and is nut-free, for the entire 7-8
grades who eat breakfast all together. Please contact the Minyan Coordinator to schedule a day
for these celebrations.

Girls are also encouraged to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah in school during 6th grade tefilla.
Please contact the tefilla teacher to schedule the celebration.

Gift Program
In order to alleviate the expense of giving individual Bar and Bat Mitzvah gifts to each student,
participation in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gift Program allows each child in the class to be part of
giving a meaningful gift to each of his/her classmates as they reach this special milestone.  This
program also provides each student with the option of choosing a memorable gift package that
they like. 6th grade parents will head this gift committee. 

8
After Your Simcha
Please inform one of us about the children’s behavior and any tips for future smachot. In this
way, school will keep track of problems and take action if necessary.

9
 Chesed Opportunities Appendix

Organizations Connecting People to Chesed

Areyvut
www.areyvut.org
Database of Bnai Mitzvah Projects: www.areyvut.org/Bnai/project.asp
Daniel Rothner, Founder & Director
(212) 813-2950 | daniel@areyvut.org

Areyvut empowers Jewish youth with the experiences that will enable them to infuse their lives
with the core Jewish values of chesed, tzedaka and tikkun olam. Recognizing the potential
significance of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration in the lives of Jewish preteens, Areyvut is
committed to providing young men and women with innovative opportunities to enhance their
Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration by actively participating in challenging, community-based
projects. Understanding that each preteen is unique, Areyvut's team of educators works with
program participants to design and implement projects that cater to each child's interests and
personal development goals. Areyvut aims to ignite a lifelong commitment to social justice,
charity and kindness.

Areyvut is committed to helping every student and family develop a project that meets their
needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the agencies, your
project or any related issues.

Jewish United Fund: Tikun Olam Volunteers (TOV)/TOV Teen Volunteer Network
juf.org/teens | bnaimitzvah@juf.org
30 S. Wells St., Chicago IL 60606 | (312) 444-2867

Tikun Olan Volunteers (TOV) is a group within the JUF which provides resources as well as a free
personalized concierge service to help connect people with chesed opportunities.

General Chesed Opportuties

AMIT
www.amitchildren.org
Rebekah Grossman
(212) 792-5690 | rebekahg@amitchildren.org 

AMIT operates more than 60 schools, youth villages, surrogate family residences and other
programs, constituting Israel’s only government-recognized network of religious Jewish
education that incorporates academic and technological studies.  AMIT’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Program offers your child the chance to profoundly impact the life of a young Israeli while
enhancing your family’s simcha.

10
A Package from Home
www.apackagefromhome.org
Email emess@netvision.net.il or
Corrine Engelhart 
3842 Four Winds Way, Skokie, IL 
(847) 673-5460 | corinnehart@aol.com

A Package from Home sends care packages to chayelim bodedim (Israeli soldiers with no family
in Israel) and other combat soldiers. Their mission is to strengthen the spirit and resolve of each
Israeli soldier and to show our appreciation for the sacrifices that they are making in securing
our safety and survival.

A Package from Home Programs:

1. Children and adults can take part in writing personal letters for the care packages to show
their appreciation. It is encouraged that you include an address and e-mail address on each
letter since sometimes a soldier will take a minute and respond to his letters. These letters
can be mailed directly to Barbara at:

Barbara Bloom Silverman

A Package from Home
12 Keren Kayemit Street #63
Jerusalem, 92428 Israel

2. Conduct a tzedaka campaign to raise money for care packages.

3. Collect new items to be brought to Israel for the care packages.
4. Help pack care packages in Israel.

The Ark  
www.arkchicago.org
6450 N. California Ave.
Carol Harris, Director of Volunteers
(773) 973-1000 | charris@arkchicago.org

The Ark provides opportunities for our students to do chesed in many ways: Packing food in the
pantry for the poor, serving dinner to the underprivileged, participating in delivering packages,
Chanukah gifts, Thanksgiving Dinner and other holidays.

Bayit Cham
www.bayit-cham.org.il

Birchwood Plaza Nursing Home

1426 West Birchwood, Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 274-4405 | contact@birchwoodplaza.com

11
Chai Lifeline
www.chailifeline.org
(847) 763-1818 | midwest@chailifeline.org

Raise Money - you could do a garage sale, sell greeting cards, (ask us for more ideas)

Toy Drive- toys we need, lots of board games like Othello, Boggle, Mancala, Yahtzee, Sorry.  We also
could any bedside toys that a child who might not be able to move around could have fun with like
Legos.

Read Books on Tape or CD - you could actually tape yourself reading a book so that we could give it to
young kids who cannot yet read.

Care Packages – assemble baskets, backpacks, or gift bags of games/toys/activities children can use or
play with in the hospital. Some favorites are: small Lego sets, playing cards, travel games, fun pens and
stationary, coloring books and crayons, etc.  Care packages for all ages (from 5 to teen) are appreciated.
 
Pillow Case Kits – assemble plain pillow cases with fabric pens/markers other arts and crafts supplies for
child in hospital to decorate and personalize.
 
Art Kits – assemble art kits. Some suggestions for kits contents include: foam mirror frames with foam
decorations; boxes, tote bags, clip-boards or tee-shirts with accompanying art supplies to decorate;
beads and string to make jewelry; simple models to assemble.
 
Activity Books – create your own book of crossword puzzles, work search puzzles, games and coloring
pages.
 
Center Piece Donations – create centerpieces for your simcha that can be donated.  Examples include:
sports-themed items, toys or games, books and/or holiday-themed items. 
 
Chanukah Projects – Chanukah is a busy time for Chai Lifeline.  In addition to hosting a festive event for
our families, we host Chanukah parties in area hospitals, complete with toys for hospitalized children.
We also send toys to every Chai Lifeline family.   Community members have been very generous in
helping us during Chanukah by doing the following:
▪ Organizing and coordinating Toy Drives
▪ Making Chanukah-related centerpieces for the Chanukah parties
▪ “Adopting” a Chai Lifeline Child for Chanukah
 
Blankets – knitted, crocheted, or fleece knotted.
Collect new books, CDs, DVDs to distribute to Chai Lifeline families.
Gift Cards to national stores (i.e. Target, Best Buy, Borders Books, etc.).
Toiletry Kits – assemble kits including shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste for use in the hospital.
Beaded Jewelry – create bracelets, necklaces, and key chains.
OR Have your guests donate to Chai Lifeline Midwest directly by putting a card in your invitation.

12
Chicago Chesed Fund
www.chicagochesedfund.org
7045 North Ridgeway, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 679-7799 | info@chicagochesedfund.org

With today’s deepening economic crisis, more Chicago-area Jewish families can no longer
support themselves. Who can they turn to for emergency help? The Chicago Chesed Fund.
Headquartered at a 44,000-square foot warehouse in Lincolnwood, the Chicago Chesed Fund
provides food, clothing, furniture, foreclosure and eviction prevention, emergency utility
payments and a whole lot more. All with sensitivity, dignity and privacy, The Chicago Chesed
Fund has provided immediate help to community members suffering the anguish of poverty
since 1987. And today, the need is greater than ever before. Visit their website for ways you can
help.

Chicago Yachad
www.chicagoyachad.org | chicagoyachad@ou.org

Yachad’s mission is to promote and facilitate the inclusion of all children, teenagers, and adults
with special needs. Through a wide array of unique inclusive programs, Yachad empowers their
participants to lead full lives filled with opportunities to socialize, learn, work, and celebrate
their Jewish Heritage.

CJE SeniorLife
www.cje.net | (773) 508-1064    

Friedman Place (A home for the visually impaired)

www.friedmanplace.org
5527 N. Maplewood, Chicago, 60625
(773) 989-9800 | Beth Elman:  Beth@friedmanplace.org

Keshet 
www.keshet.org
Steve Feinberg, Keshet Outreach Coordinator
(847) 205-0274 | steve@keshet.org 

Keshet offers many volunteer opportunities, including Sunday School and Special Olympics.

Leket Israel – Israel’s National Food Bank

http://www.leket.org.il/english/

Serving as the country's National Food Bank and largest food rescue network, Leket Israel works
to alleviate the problem of nutritional insecurity among the growing numbers
of Israel's poor.  Each year, with the help of 40,000 volunteers, Leket Israel rescues over
700,000 meals and 21 million lbs of produce and perishable goods, and supplies over 1.25
million (7,500/school day) volunteer prepared sandwiches to underprivileged children.  Food

13
that would have otherwise gone to waste is redistributed to nearly 300 non-profit partners
caring for the needy.  Leket Israel offers cooperative purchasing, nutrition education, and food
safety projects to further assist our partners.

Lieberman Nursing Home

9700 Gross Point Road, Skokie, Il 60076
(847) 674-7210

Lone Soldier Connect

lonesoldiercenter.com | lonesoldierconnect@gmail.com
Shoshana Friedman, Project Coordinator (847) 703-2053
Barbara Glimer, Educational Advisor (847) 877-2476

Lone Soldier Connect is a unique program designed to partner youth and their families with the
Lone Soldiers of the Israel Defense forces. Lone Soldiers are volunteers who serve in the IDF
without the benefit of parents living in Israel. With family so far away, these soldiers are
supported by organizations that let them know how much they are admired for their
commitment to the survival of the State of Israel.

Lone Soldier Connect offers programs based on the understanding that letters written by
students and family in Chicago, which are then sent to Lone Soldiers in Israel, help the soldiers
to know that they are remembered and appreciated. Letters can be written as a class or
individual project, at a party or family event. We provide facilitators to discuss the concepts of
courage, commitment, bravery and love for Israel. Letters are collected and send to Israel for
distribution.
 
The Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin is “home away from home” for many of
these soldiers. Shabbat dinners, Yom Tov celebrations and meals, friendship and adjustment
help is available through a group of volunteers who are all former Lone Soldiers. The Center,
located in Tel Aviv with smaller centers in Jerusalem, Haifa and Be’ersheva, reaches out to these
courageous Lone Soldiers to let them know that they are all family and are never alone.

Shaare Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem

acsz.org | dgold@acsz.org
Deborah Gold, (305) 799-5619

Shaare Zedek is known as the “Hospital with a Heart” for its reputation of treating patients with
the highest level of care. Shaare Zedek receives no government funding for new equipment and
facilities, so we rely solely on our donors’ generosity to operate this important facility in the
heart of Jerusalem.

14
Choose a Project
Choose a project that you will enjoy – you can also do it with a friend! The money you raise will
support the Hospital and give patients the care they need. Here are ideas of what other B’nai
and B’not Mitzvah have done to help save lives at Shaare Zedek. Choose from this list, or use
your imagination and come up with your own.

● Basketball/Hockey/Baseball-a-Thon
● Bowl-a-Thon
● Build-a-Bear
● Walk-a-Thon
● Car Wash
● Bake Sale
● Tehillim or Divrei Torah Learning Campaign

Plan Your Event

We’ll help you plan where, when and how! We can create your event flyers, sponsor sheets, and
personalized web page. Choose an appropriate project / dedication to raise funds for Shaare
Zedek. Write/design the card to be inserted in your invitation.

Recognition for Your Support

Have your Bar/Bar Mitzvah project featured on our website for all your friends and family to
view. Your name and dedication to the Hospital will be memorialized in the Shaare Zedek
Golden Book, or, with a personalized plaque affixed at the Hospital in your honor.

Visit the Hospital

Join us at the Hospital for a special dedication ceremony where you can:
● Take a tour of Shaare Zedek and celebrate the hanging of your plaque
● Visit the children in the pediatric wing, hand out teddy bears, and bring a smile to their
faces.

Youth 4 Youth Program with The Jaffa Institute

Jackie Frankel, Development Associate
972-3-683-2626 ext. 113 | jackie@jaffainst.co.il
www.jaffainstitute.org

15
 John Hanus Library of General Studies and
Philip A. Newberger Memorial Library of Judaica

Book Centerpieces

Think of the Hillel Torah Library for your child’s upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Make a donation to
the library fund and the librarian will select Judaic and/or general studies books to be used as
table centerpieces. Each book will have a custom bookplate inserted with an inscription worded
especially for your simcha.

Alternatively, you may make a donation in honor of your child on the occasion of their Bar/Bat
Mitzvah, and books will be purchased for the library collection; each will have a custom
bookplate affixed.

Attractive book stands are available for loan and you will receive table cards at no additional
cost. Your centerpieces are sure to be appreciated by your guests.

How the Program Works

At least 4 months before your simcha, contact Mrs. Robbin Katzin at the library.
You will need to provide the librarian with the following information:

• Simcha date
• Book categories: Judaic, General Studies or both
• Number of tables
• Number of books per table
• Inscription for bookplates

Your donation must be paid for prior to the books being ordered.

Two weeks before your simcha, the library will contact you to make arrangements for you to
pick up your books, table cards, and book stands. After your party, the books and stands should
be returned to the library within one week.

All donations receive 70% give/get credit.

For more information, contact the school library at 847‐674‐6533 or email Mrs. Robbin Katzin,
School Librarian, at robbin.katzin@hilleltorah.org.

To participate, click here, or fill out the form below.

16
 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Centerpiece Donations

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Simcha Date: __________________________

Donation: $____________________________

__ Judaic Studies
__ General Studies
__ Either category

Bookplate Inscription: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

For centerpieces, please contact Mrs. Katzin at 847-674-6533 to discuss the

number of books needed and cost, before filling out this form.

Donated by:

Name: __________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

City, State, ZIP: ____________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________

Phone where you would like to be contacted: ___________________

Please make checks payable to Hillel Torah. 70% give-get credit will be given.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Robbin Katzin, School Librarian, at
robbin.katzin@hilleltorah.org, or call the library at 847-674-6533.

17