The Bat Mitzvah Guide
A Bat Mitzvah marks a girl’s formal entry into a life of Torah and mitzvot, not just a party with a Torah theme. Stories from mothers, tutors, and Bat Mitzvah girls, with practical ideas for learning, leadership, and simcha.
Twelve Ways to Make Your Bat Mitzvah Meaningful
From girls and families who built celebrations rooted in learning and mitzvot.
- 01
Make a Siyyum
A Bat Mitzvah is a time to solidify your commitment to Torah study. So start now! Many Bat Mitzvah girls have made siyyumim of a seder of Mishna, a chapter of Gemara, or a book of Tanach as a way of entering into Jewish adulthood.
- 02
Have a Women’s Tefilla
Learn to layen, and celebrate this coming of age among female family and friends as you are called to the Torah.
- 03
Adopt a Special Mitzvah
As you become a “daughter of mitzvot,” choose a mitzvah that is special to you, learn about it, and take extra care in performing it throughout the year.
- 04
Learn about your Ancestors
Use this new stage of life to reflect on where you came from. Ask your parents and grandparents about their lives growing up, and learn about your roots.
- 05
Speak up in Synagogue
Many Bat Mitzvah girls now deliver the sermon in synagogue on the Shabbat they celebrate their Bat Mitzvah. The Rabbi often calls the Bat Mitzvah girl to the pulpit and responds to her speech.
- 06
Do a Community Service Project
What better way to prepare for acceptance of the mitzvot than to actively engage in them? In preparing for their Bat Mitzvot, girls have adopted community service projects, such as visiting old age homes, or feeding the homeless.
- 07
Learn About Female Role Models
As you become Bat Mitzvah, it is important to have female role models to identify with. Bat Mitzvah girls have studied women in Tanach, Talmud, and Medieval and Modern Jewish history.
- 08
Write a prayer
Use this occasion to write a tefilla. What are you thankful for? What are your hopes for the future? You can share it with others at your celebration, or keep it for yourself.
- 09
Donate a percentage of your Bat Mitzvah Money to Tzedakah
You can start keeping mitzvot right away by giving maaser, 10% of the money you receive as gifts for your Bat Mitzvah to a tzedakah that you choose. It will make you feel richer!
- 10
Study Something Connected to your Name
Many Bat Mitzvah girls learn something connected to their name for their Bat Mitzvot. A girl named Ilana may study laws related to trees in Tanach, and a girl named Sarah may study the biblical Sarah, as well as famous Sarahs throughout Jewish history.
- 11
Write it Out
After spending time studying a particular text or issue, write it up, and distribute it to the guests at your Bat Mitzvah. You and they will have it forever.
- 12
Study Something Connected to the Time of your Bat Mitzvah
Develop a special connection with the Jewish calendar. If your Bat Mitzvah falls around Hanukkah, study the laws and meaning of Hanukkah. If it falls near a fast day, study the laws pertaining to fast days.
Stories and Reflections
Mishaberach Prayer for a Bat Mitzvah Girl
Recited in congregations in Israel, adapted from the prayer for a Bar Mitzvah boy in Siddur Rinat Yisrael (Ashkenaz).
May the One who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and our foremothers Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, bless daughter of who is twelve years old and has reached the age of the commandments. She gives praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for all the good that God has done to her. May God keep her and sustain her, and direct her heart to be whole, and to walk in God’s ways and follow God’s commandments all of her days. And let us say Amen.
More for Bat Mitzvah Planning
Celebrating a Bat Mitzvah with Meaning, Learning, and Connection
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Help us grow this guide for the next family planning a Bat Mitzvah.
