Speechworks
Here’s a template for a parent’s bar/bat mitzvah speech.
I wrote this post before I attended my 13-year-old cousin’s bat mitzvah, the traditional service marking a Jewish child’s passage into adulthood. A highlight of many bat/bar mitzvah services is the short blessing or speech from the parents.
The best of these speeches are touching and often a little funny. They have stories that help the congregation get to know the young man or woman who has been studying hard to lead the congregation through that morning’s a Shabbat service.
Along with my wife, I’ve written and delivered three of these two-minute b’nai mitzvah blessings. So if you’re not sure what to say, or if you’re a little nervous, here is our template that you can use to honor your young adult.
Opening Your Speech
Start by telling your daughter how proud you are. Then tell her and the congregation some of the personality traits about her that you most admire.
“[Insert first name of your child]. Your [mother/father] and I are so proud of how well you did today, leading the congregation in prayer this morning. But more than that, we’re proud of the wonderful young man/woman you’ve become.”
“You’re [insert the positive qualities that you admire about your child. For example you might say “You’re sweet, and kind and responsible.” Or “You’re friendly and extremely outgoing!” Or “You’re hard working and generous with your time!” or “You’re not just a wonderful pitcher for the baseball team. You’re warm and caring older brother.”]
Stories are the Best
Next, tell two or three short stories that illustrate your child’s wonderful qualities. Stories are what make these blessings great and memorable.
[I said that you are outgoing and friendly. I remember when we moved to Atlanta from New York. You were sad leaving behind your friends. But you didn’t waste time finding new friends. As soon as we settled into our neighborhood, you found the neighborhood directory and started calling up kids your age in the neighborhood. You said ‘Hi, I’m Elliott. I’m new to the neighborhood. Would you like to play sometime?’” You have to be the first child in history to cold call for friends. The funny thing is that it worked. Several of those friends are here today.”]
[I also said that you were hard working. I remember your first dance recital. You were up in front of a lot of people and you fell down. It was a little embarrassing and you told me so. But you didn’t get frustrated. Rather on the way home you just said to me ‘Dad, I think I need to practice more.’ And that evening, I heard you in the basement, practicing. Now you’re one of the best dancers on the dance team and you’re teaching us moves that we’ve never seen. You’ve even started teaching dance to younger kids at the JCC. Of course you bring that same determination to your studies and to your preparation for this day.]
If you want to add a third story, knock yourself out. But remember that no one wants to hear a long speech. When the Rabbi says “Keep it to two minutes,” he or she really wants it short. Remember, this is not your day. It’s your son or daughter’s day.
End by Going for the Heartstrings
Finish with a sincere pronouncement of love and admiration.
[Of course, we are proud of how you performed today. But that’s not nearly as important as the fact that were are incredibly proud of the young man/young woman that you’ve become. We love you.]
Don’t Forget to Practice . . . A Lot
Once you have the speech written, practice. My wife and I practiced enough so that we could recite it without notes. Lots of practice will help you overcome the natural nerves you’re going to feel.
If you feel you have to use notes, that’s OK. Just read with gusto. You want it to sound like you’re just telling stories at a dinner table.
Practice hard and you’re son or daughter will be as proud of you as you are of him or her.
Crafting the Perfect Parent Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech
by Rabbi Danielle G. Eskow | Aug 24, 2023 | Life Cycle Events , Uncategorized
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is a significant milestone in a young child’s life, marking his/her transition into adulthood according to Jewish tradition. As parents, it’s natural to feel immensely proud of your child and want to express your love and admiration through a heartfelt speech. This blog post offers a parent Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech sample, along with tips to guide you through crafting the perfect Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech, ensuring this special day is unforgettable for your child, family, and friends.
Short Summary
Parents must understand the importance of crafting a memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech for their child.
Incorporate humor, emotion and personal anecdotes to create an inspiring and personalized speech.
Follow tips such as finding your voice, practicing regularly & incorporating Jewish values & traditions into your presentation.
Creating a Memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech
Creating a speech that will be remembered for many years is key to making an impression at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. As parents, it’s important to share their child’s journey through life so far as well as express pride and thank family members and friends who have been supportive during the process. A memorable address can touch everyone present on such a special day in the boy’s life, leaving them with memories they won’t soon forget.
To craft this unforgettable moment effectively, it is vital to know what makes great Bar/Bat Mitzvah speeches: understanding parent roles in celebration events while including crucial components which bring emotion into play – all of these working together result in oration success!
The Role of Parents
Parents are essential to their child’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration. This ceremony marks a spiritual transformation from child into young adult by instilling values and convictions as they enter adulthood.
The role of parents is crucial when it comes time for speech delivery at this special occasion. Words that express love and pride combined with accomplishments achieved throughout life will make your remarks memorable. Demonstrating encouragement in them maturing religiously makes it even more significant, which undoubtedly leaves an indelible impression on guests present at the event honoring your wonderful child!
Key Elements of a Great Speech
Creating a great Bar mitzvah or Bat mitzvah speech involves integrating humor, emotion and personal memories to captivate the crowd. Keep it succinct yet informative with an introduction, body and closing which will make a great D’var Torah. Acknowledge those who have helped you along the way, such as family members and friends, by expressing gratitude for their support. To gain ideas on how to deliver this powerful message, check out online examples of what other people used for successful speeches in years past. With these components combined there’s sure to be appreciation from all in attendance celebrating your child’s growth into adulthood impacting them positively throughout life moving forward
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Parent Bar Mitzvah Speech Examples
We have collected several examples of Bar Mitzvah speeches, which will help guide and motivate you in creating your own. These showcases illustrate the wide-ranging possibilities for constructing a speech that is reflective of your child’s unique history and character.
From deeply emotional to comical renditions, there truly is something available for every individual. To assist with conveying an address reflecting on this momentous occasion, these samples provide helpful insight into how to curate words specific to your recipient’s life story while simultaneously pleasing all who are present at the celebration!
Heartfelt and Emotional
For a truly special family moment, an emotive and touching speech is necessary to capture the audience’s attention. Incorporating storytelling along with humor or anecdotes can make your talk more memorable by highlighting your child’s remarkable qualities and accomplishments while also showcasing how important this event really is. It should be genuine in order for it to have the greatest effect on those present – making it an even more meaningful experience.
Humorous and Light-hearted
Creating a speech that is both humorous and heartfelt can result in an immensely proud moment for your child. One way to achieve this balance between humor and sentimentality while delivering the address is by using funny anecdotes or stories from their life. Using props, jokes, quotes, puns or gestures will boost audience engagement as well as help them remember it better.
Lighthearted teasing of quirks possessed by your child can be incorporated into the ceremony’s speech in order to bring smiles on everybody’s faces. Crafting such a combination of humor and sincerity ensures everyone appreciates what you have put together!
Reflective and Inspirational
Creating a speech to honor your child’s growth and encourage them towards their Jewish heritage can be an inspiring experience. Reflection on how the Torah portion relates to their journey offers a meaningful understanding of what accomplishments they have achieved. The talk should emphasize promoting good personhood while weaving in themes from Judaism – this will positively guide them through life’s challenges and create motivation along the way.
Tips for Writing and Delivering Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah Speech
As we have looked at some examples of speeches, it’s time to consider how best to write and present a meaningful Bar and Bat Mitzvah speech. By following these helpful tips, you can create an effective address that will be cherished by both your child and the gathered guests on this extraordinary day.
Begin with jotting down any thoughts or suggestions in just a few words as points. Take ample amount of time considering what essential facts should be included in the message. Then work through each point carefully so they are structured into one succinct narrative for the occasion of their Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration!
Finding Your Voice
It’s essential to sound genuine and heartfelt when delivering your speech in order to create a strong connection with the listeners. Incorporate your own values, experiences, and beliefs into what you are saying for maximum effect. To discover this special voice of yours that resonates with audiences, think about who you really are as an individual. Crafting a narrative based on these aspects will make sure that everyone understands exactly where you’re coming from, enabling them to engage more deeply while listening.
Practice Makes Perfect
Preparing your talk is essential to make sure the delivery runs smoothly and that you have assurance during the event. Going over material thoroughly and rehearsing how it will be presented can help ease nerves when speaking before a crowd.
To use practice time as efficiently as possible, put these tips into action.
- Speak out loud while timing yourself.
- Practice in front of a mirror for observing body language or facial expressions made during speech presentation.
- Involve family members or friends who could provide constructive feedback on improving performance prior to delivering at an important occasion like this one today! Utilizing such methods should assist with better delivery overall plus making sure preparation has been completed beforehand so there are no unexpected surprises come showtime!
Engaging the Audience
Engaging the crowd is essential when delivering an effective Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech. Here are some tips for success: staying connected with your audience through eye contact, positive body language to emphasize points and boost a bond between you and them, plus demonstrate enthusiasm throughout your delivery. Utilizing these techniques can make sure that the address will be both unforgettable and enjoyable for all in attendance.
Effective posturing consists of gestures, facial expressions, as well as stance to help stress key thoughts while building trustworthiness among listeners – by knowing how to work with these methods you’ll capture everyone’s attention thus keeping it engaged during all parts of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech.
Incorporating Jewish Values and Traditions
For your Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah speech to be truly special, it is essential that you draw upon the rich Jewish values and traditions in order to make your words resonate with deeper meaning. By incorporating this cultural heritage into a heartfelt address at such an important milestone event for your child’s life, their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah will become all the more meaningful.
The Torah Portion Connection
Creating a meaningful Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah speech that reflects your child’s journey with their Torah portion is possible by drawing connections between the two. Look for words, phrases or stories which have an impact on your own life and those of others around you – this will assist in forming strong ties from the scriptural text to your child’s individual experiences. This type of narrative can be very powerful when sharing at such an important moment as a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah celebration. By reflecting upon these links and highlighting them throughout your speech, it gives greater recognition to both special people. The one being honored, Your child!
Blessings and Prayers
When making a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah speech, including customary Jewish prayers and blessings serves to highlight the spiritual magnitude of this event as well as demonstrating honor for traditional Jewish practices. Such blessings such as Mi Shebeirach prayer for healing or even those traditionally offered by parents are commonly inserted into these speeches providing an intimate touch while emphasizing your child’s Judaism. Through doing so, you demonstrate respect for Jews’ customs and make it all more personal too. Creating a richer meaning not only in relation to your son/daughter but also on behalf of everyone present at the ceremony itself.
To bring together the perfect Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah address, one must include a unique combination of heartfelt anecdotes, humor and emotion while infusing Jewish values that are pertinent to this important life milestone. By using these tips mentioned here, you can create an unforgettable speech that will honor your child’s journey in celebrating his or her Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah event and be filled with joy, pride and lasting memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you say in a parents bat mitzvah speech.
This morning, we were delighted to witness your strong sense of leadership as you led the congregation in prayer. We are so immensely proud [insert first name of your child], especially today on this special day when you have become a Bat Mitzvah! Congratulations and keep up the great work!
What do I say to my child on their Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
I’m filled with immense pride for you each and every day. Your achievement is the result of all your dedication, and I congratulate you on that!
Today marks a special occasion – let’s celebrate this Bar and Bat Mitzvah together!
What is the role of parents in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah speech?
In honor of their child’s coming-of-age, parents play a significant role in Bar Mitzvah celebrations. As part of this responsibility, they have the chance to express both love and pride for their son or daughter through meaningful words spoken during the speech. This is also an opportune moment to thank family members and friends who offered support throughout this time as well as recognize just how special achieving a Bar Mitzvah really is. Parents can share any advice from life experiences along with hopes for what lies ahead in store while addressing those gathered on such an important occasion.
How can I connect my child's Torah portion to their personal qualities or experiences?
Examining the topics of your kid’s Torah part and relating them to their own life is an effective way for constructing a thoughtful narrative that they can ponder upon.
What are some tips for engaging the audience during my Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah speech?
Maintaining eye contact, using confident body language and displaying enthusiasm are the best ways to make your speech engaging for any audience. Keeping a positive attitude will create an unforgettable experience that is sure to stay with those who have heard it. Utilizing these tips when delivering speeches ensures connecting with listeners in a memorable way.
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Home » Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech: How to Write the Perfect Speech (Ideas + Examples)
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech: How to Write the Perfect Speech (Ideas + Examples)
What’s the #1 thing people around the world fear the most?
You guessed it: public speaking .
And that’s adults I’m talking about here…
So you can imagine how Bar & Bat Mitzvahs feel about writing and giving their Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech…
- … “What should I say?”
- … “Where do I even begin?”
- … “What if my friends make fun of me?”
These are just some of the things that are probably going through the mind of a soon-to-be Bar/Bat Mitzvah…
Guess what… that’s completely normal! (In fact, it would be weird if you wouldn’t have those feelings)
Well, don’t worry… because in this article, I’m going to show you everything you need to write a great Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech … step-by-step!
Let’s get started…
Note to Parents: Parents, this article is for your kid, not for you… So go call them and show them this article, I’ll wait…
In the meantime, check out the guide I wrote for parents looking to write a speech for their child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah .
Table of Contents
Creating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech Outline
Let me ask you a question: how do you build a building ? (don’t Google it! That’s cheating!)
I’ll tell how you DON’T start: You DON’T start by randomly laying down bricks and hoping that “poof” – it will somehow turn into a house.
No sir… that’s not how it’s done.
First, you start with a blueprint .
A blueprint is a foundation: how the house will look like, how many rooms, what size and shape …
The same goes for when you write the speech.
You don’t start off by typing a bunch of words, hoping that “poof”! It will automagically (automatically + magic) turn into this beautiful Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech.
That’s not how it works…
You start by laying the foundation, the blueprint – your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech outline .
Here’s what a typical Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech outline looks like:
Speech Introduction
Thank everyone for coming : Your guests came from all over the place to celebrate with you, got you awesome Bar Mitzvah gifts (or if you’re a young woman – Bat Mitzvah gifts )… so start off by thanking everyone for being here with you.
Start with the elders: grandparents, aunts/uncles… and people who came from a distance (auntie Bracha came all the way from Australia? Show her you appreciate it)
Throw in a joke or two (optional): Why so serious? Throw in a joke or two for good measure… It’s always fun to catch people laugh and spill their drink.
Speech body
Give a Dvar Torah: First, everyone came to hear you read your Torah portion… Now, they want to hear YOUR interpretation of the Torah portion:
… What happened in the Parsha?
… What lessons did you learn from the Parsha?
… How does it apply to your own life (and hopefully theirs too)?
Make it Personal: People like to hear what the Bar/Bat Mitzvah means to you: How did you feel while preparing for the Torah reading? How does it feel like to finally be a Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Share the whole experience with your friends & family! I’m talking about real sharing, not Facebook sharing…
Announce your Mitzvah Project (optional): You announce the Mitzvah Project you chose, why you chose it and how you’re going to fulfill it.
Speech Wrap Up
It’s Thank You Time: You thank everyone who made this Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration possible: your parents, family, rabbi, guests, neighbors, the neighbor’s dog… you get the picture.
Of course, don’t forget to thank G-d!
Finish off by wishing everyone a pleasant evening, and “Poof! – you’re done!
Brainstorming: What Are You Going to Talk About?
You’re celebrating your Bar/Bat Mitzvah – the day you turn from a child into an adult…
Does that mean that according to Picasso, you’re not an artist anymore?! You’re no longer creative?! You’re doomed?!
Oy, gevalt!
Señor Picasso wasn’t talking about young champs like you.
He was talking about “real” grown-ups… you know – the ones who forgot what it’s like to play, what it’s like to draw outside the lines, what it’s like to have some fun.
You’re in luck… Because this brainstorming is THE fun part of writing your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech.
That’s when you write down everything that comes to mind. And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING:
- What did you think of your Parsha?
- What lessons did it teach you?
- What Interesting insights would you like to share?
- What does it feel like being a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
I mean it… grab a piece of paper (physical or virtual, doesn’t matter) – and write down every idea that pops up. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s good or bad, boring or interesting… don’t think about it right now, just write-it-down.
Your piece of paper is your canvas, and you’re the artist (listen to Señor Picasso).
Writing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech
Grab a piece of pen and paper (wait, isn’t that backward? Oh well…), or grab your keyboard – because it’s time to write down some words!
Remember: a speech is made up sentences, sentences are made up of words.
Take everything you’ve written down in the brainstorming stage – and use it to write your speech.
Here are a couple of key writing tips you should keep in mind when you write your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech:
Write like you speak
Remember English class?
Good, now do the exact opposite.
Mrs. Merriam Webster is not there to test you, so don’t try to impress your guests with your fancy vocabulary.
People want to hear from you , not some young, annoying Shakespeare wannabe.
So write like you speak, Bevakasha…
Don’t write and edit at the same time
When you write, write . When you edit, edit .
Writing and editing are completely different cognitive tasks.
Don’t make the classic mistake of mixing the two together – you’ll just slow yourself down and get discouraged (trust me, I’ve been there).
Start with the speech body, then write the intro & wrap up
Your speech body is the most important part, so you might as well start there.
Keep in mind that when you study for your Torah reading – you mostly focus on reading the Parsha, not on understanding it.
Before you write your speech, it’s worth going back to your Parsha and really understand what you just read:
- What does this Parsha mean?
- What are the different interpretations of this Parsha?
- What lessons can you learn from it?
This is a good chance to sit with your Rabbi, parents or whoever else can help, and put together a bunch of interesting insights you can share with your guests in your speech.
Once you’ve got the body written down:
- You’ll know what you’re about to say, so you can write your speech intro to smoothly transition to the speech body.
- You know what you just said, so you can write your speech wrap up to smoothly transition from the body.
It’s like making a tuna sandwich: first, you prepare the tuna, then you wrap it up with bread.
Make it Short & Sweet (and NOT boring)
Make your speech short & sweet, not long & tedious. The sweet spot is somewhere between 5-10 minutes… anything longer than that – you’ll notice people starting to yawn and reach for their phones (if it’s not Shabbat).
Same goes when you write your Bar/Bat Mitzvah candle lighting speech …
Like it or not – people have short attention spans. If you start rambling endlessly they’ll just tune out.
Tip: Read out the “Practice, Practice, Practice” section below carefully – so you don’t turn your speech into a snooze-fest.
Tell a joke or two (but don’t force jokes if they’re not funny)
Sure – a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration is an important, spiritual moment. But that doesn’t mean you have to be Mr/Mrs. Serious ALL the time.
This is your Bar/Bat Mitzvah! people came from all over the place to celebrate with you.
Relax, take it easy, and slip in a few jokes if you can.
Note: if it’s your Bar/Bat Mitzvah party – even better… Some of your guests are probably drunk, so they’ll laugh even if your joke isn’t all that funny.
At this point – you have everything you need to write down your first draft… GO DO THAT NOW.
When you’re done – come back and continue to the next part…
Take your time…
Don’t worry, I’ll wait… come back when you’re done.
Editing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech
Finished your first draft?
Congratulations! I’m proud of you!
Hopefully, you listened to my advice and you didn’t write AND edit at the same time. Otherwise, you probably just spent hours upon hours going back and forth, pulling your hair out.
But no worries, as long as you eventually got your first draft written down… Now, it’s time to edit your draft.
Many people don’t know this, but the real magic happens in the editing, not in the writing.
Luckily, editing is easy… All you have to do is remember my RRRR formula (the 4 R’s) :
- Remove: Get rid of words or sentences you don’t need
- Rewrite: Rewrite complicated sentences to make it sound natural. Remember – this is a speech, not a college essay. Leave the complicated words out.
- Reorder: If a sentence breaks the natural flow of the speech, try moving it someplace else
- Repeat: Repeat until you’re satisfied.
Easy, right?
What are you waiting for? Go RRRR!
Same as before – I’ll be here waiting till you’re done.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech: Speaking Tips
If you’re afraid of giving your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech in front of everyone – don’t worry, you’re not alone… In fact, far from it – public speaking is the #1 thing humans are afraid of more than anything, so join the club 🙂
Now, before you cancel your Bar/Bat Mitzvah and lock yourself in your bedroom – here’s a couple of things I want you to keep in mind before you give your speech:
Take a deep breath (or two) before you speak
You’ll probably feel a little (read: a LOT) nervous before you speak, that’s normal.
If that happens, then before you give your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech:
- Take a few deeeeeeeep breaths
- Organize your thoughts…
- Repeat to yourself: “I’m in control…I’m in control… I’m in control…”
- Give your speech like a champion
Look straight at the audience
Speak to your guests, not at your guests. Look people straight in the eye, that way they’ll listen to what you’re saying.
Speak with emotion
You’re probably already anxious, so being emotional is easy – you’re already there. All you have to do is turn your anxiety into excitement (that’s called reframing by the way).
Speak with excitements. Make mistakes, let your voice be shaky, express your emotions… it’s OK!
Guess what? It’s your Bar/Bat Mitzvah – people expect you to be excited! That’s completely natural.
In fact, it would be VERY weird if you stand there and speak like a robot.
Match your body language and tone of voice to the words you’re saying
Speaking of sounding like a robot…
Don’t forget that the words on your page are just a piece in the puzzle.
It doesn’t matter how amazing your speech is – if you’re simply reading off a piece of paper without the right body language and tone of voice – then you’re just saying a bunch of words out loud, you’re not giving a Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech.
- If you’re sharing a personal story – speak gently.
- If you’re telling a joke, tell it with a smile on your face.
- If you’re explaining what life lessons the Parsha taught you, speak with excitement (and wipe that smile off your face).
Since you’re going to speak anyway, you might as well SPEAK.
Practice, practice, practice
Practice is the name of the game.
- … Practice your speech in front of your mirror.
- … Practice in front of your parents
- … Practice in front of your siblings
- … Practice in front of your friends
The more you practice, the more prepared you’ll be.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech Examples & Samples
Another (controversial) quote from our beloved Señor Picasso.
Yes, yes, I know – the Torah says Do NOT Steal.
But the Torah doesn’t say you should reinvent the wheel either…
People have already written amazing, inspirational and funny Bar & Bat Mitzvah speeches – why not use what already works as your template, and add your own changes to make it your own?
That’s not called stealing, that’s called standing on the shoulders of giants (not like Goliath, he was a naughty giant)!
Here are a couple of Bar & Bat Mitzvah speech ideas you can draw inspiration from.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech Example #1
Here’s a speech that Benjamin Leterman, a writer who writes over at Six Degrees of Kosher Bacon , helped a young Bar Mitzvah boy write.
Take Notes: Notice how Ben included notes (in all CAPS) to remind the boy to breathe, slow down and look at the audience when appropriate.
LOOK. BREATH. SLOW
Hi, good Shabbos. Thank everybody for coming.
So, in this week’s Parsha, Yaacov gives a bracha to each of his 12 sons. And he gives brachas to his grandsons. So… it’s a lot of brachas. But to be honest I don’t know what a bracha really is.
But as a Bar Mitzvah, I feel it’s now my responsibility to ask about the things I don’t understand. So this is what I learned…
In short, bracha is about potential.
So what is potential? Potential is what you can become. For instance a basketball player, a rabbi or a father?
Imagine that everyone here is an empty glass. And when you fill the glass you recognize your potential. So how do you fill that glass? There’s Hishtadlus, working hard at something. Tefilla, davening to Hashem to make you a better basketball player or whatever you want to be.
But you can make other people recognize their potential.
Through bracha. When we say “Baruch ata Hashem…”, we aren’t blessing Hashem. We are recognizing that He is the source of all bracha. So when we give a bracha we are pulling from that source to fill up someone else’s glass. So when Yaakov, being a tzadik… on his deathbed, was giving these blessings to his children, he was unlocking the complete realization of their truest potential.
So with that understanding in mind, I would like to give a few bracha to the members of my family.
Dad, a few months ago, it was the night after picture day and you had taken pictures of every kid in the school. You were knee deep in work and had all these pictures to edit, crop and whatever else you do to make them look great. Then you realized it was the Horowitz’s Vort that night. And even though you had so much to do you went to show your support. Then you came home and probably worked until 2 in the morning to get those pictures done.
So my bracha to you– is that you should have the care and support of the people around you the way you’ve cared for me, our family and this community.
Mom, I have a memory of us when I was 7 years old. We were watching Charlotte’s Web at Nana’s house, and Charlotte had just died. I remember crying, lying down on your lap and you were stroking my back, comforting me.
This was the first time I saw the main character die and for a seven-year-old, that was pretty much the closest thing to a traumatic experience that I had gone through.
But you comforted me and told me that just because something bad happens, good can still come from it. Any mother in that situation would comfort their crying child and nothing compares to the compassion of a mother, but you have chosen as your profession to share that compassion with those who need it. My bracha for you– is that you are always surrounded tenfold the love and goodwill you bring it to the world.
Benj, Joshua, and Jordan… before I give you your Brucha’s, let’s go back to the Parsha for a second. Ephraim and Menashe get their bracha’s before the 12 brothers.
A reason for this may have been because Ephraim and Menashe were the first brothers to get it right.
Brothers in the Torah haven’t gotten along so well up to now. Cain and Abel… Yitzchak and Yishmael… Yaacov and Esav… and definitely the 10 brothers and Yosef.
Ephraim and Menashe were the first brothers who weren’t jealous, had humility and unity. Ephraim gets the first bracha even though he’s younger and Menashe, instead of harboring resentment, accepts it, realizes it’s all for the good and celebrates it.
Benjamin, Joshua and Jordan, I hope we all as brothers, can have the unity, harmony, and purpose of Ephraim and Menashe. I love you so much and it is incredible to see you grow and mature in ways that only an older brother can.
So today on my Bar Mitzvah, I am proud to say that I can recognize that my life is one huge bracha.
I’m in a great school with amazing friends. I have parents that I can open up to about anything. I have a family that came from all over the country to support me and that I know will always be there for me. And I am blessed to live in a community that is dedicated and invested in seeing me become the man that lives up to his fullest potential.
Thank you and Good Shabbos.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech Example #2
This wonderful Bar Mitzvah speech was given by Ezra, who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah last year.
Take Notes: Short, sweet and educational. It shows that a Bar Mitzvah speech doesn’t have to be long in order to be great.
Thank you, everyone, for joining me and my family for my Bar Mitzvah.
I’d like to share a few surprising lessons I learned while studying for my Torah reading.
As you all know, I was reading Parshat Korach…
In Parshat Korach, we learn about three men (Korach, Datan, and Aviram) who decided to rise up against the leaders of the Jewish people: Moses & Aaron.
The three men accused Moses & Aaron of acting superior to everyone else and orchestrated an uprising to challenge Moses & Aaron’s ability to lead.
According to Korach and his men, Moses and Aaron had acquired so much power and authority, that the rest of the people felt beneath them. But instead of coming to Moses and Aaron in peace, Korach arranged a violent rebellion. Moses’ attempts to reason with Korach failed.
We all know how that story ended – Korach (along with his family), Datan and Aviram face a horrible death and are swallowed up by the earth, and the rest of the rebels are either burned to death or are struck down by a plague.
This raises an interesting question: if Korach was such a rebellious figure who questioned the greatest leader in Jewish history – why does the Torah dedicate an entire Parsha for him and his actions?
The answers to that question are quite profound: We learn that Korach’s criticism of Moses and Aaron’s leadership possibly had some merit to it… but the way Korach expressed his criticism was completely flawed.
- Instead of coming in peace and try to talk to Moses and Aaron, he immediately resorted to violence
- Instead of asking for a better balance between freedom and authority – he selfishly demanded more rights and freedom for himself
- Instead of negotiating, Korach tried enforcing his will
I believe the Torah teaches us a valuable lesson here:
We learn that problems should be addressed through conversation, not through force.
We learn the destructive consequences of envy, selfishness, and ego.
We learn that too much authority or too much freedom isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Too much authority can lead to contempt… and too much freedom can lead to chaos. We learn that we should all strive to find a balance between the two, despite how difficult it is.
My parents somehow found that balance… And I’m so lucky that they’re my leaders.
I’d like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to be raised by such amazing parents…
Mom, dad – you’re the most amazing parents in the world…
Thank you for being such amazing leaders. Thank you for giving me everything I ever needed, even though it wasn’t always what I thought I wanted at the time. Thank you for giving the right balance of authority and freedom.
I love you.
Bar Mitzvah Speech Example #3
This Bar Mitzvah speech was given by Yossi Rosenberg in Miami, Florida.
Take Notes: Notice how this young man matches his body language and tone of voice to the message he’s trying to get across.
Bat Mitzvah Speech Example #4
Bat Mitzvah speech – Broadway style.
This is the most unique Bat Mitzvah speech I’ve come across… It shows that there’s no one size fits all speech…
Take Notes: If you’re a talented young boy/girl – why not use show your talents in your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech?
Giving a Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech doesn’t have to be intimidating.
I know what it feels like staring at a blank piece of paper – feeling “stuck” and having no idea what to write or where to even begin.
But if you follow a simple system like the one I showed you in this guide, it becomes much, MUCH easier.
Take it one step at a time, follow the steps in this guide – and your speech will be a slam dunk. I guarantee it!
Now go rock that speech! I believe in you…
Mazel tov 🙂
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5 Tips for Writing a Parent Speech to your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Child
by Hadassah | Blog | 0 comments
Speaking words of praise and encouragement and sharing your parental aspirations with your child is usually done privately at home with just the immediate family. Yet, now, at this crucial moment, your task is to publically convey to your child, in front of the wider family and a mixed group of friends something that you hope your son or daughter will remember in the years to come.
So how can you get over the anxiety and stage fright and dare I say, actually enjoy the moment??
Here are my 5 tips to help you write and deliver a memorable speech:
- Give yourself enough time before the celebration to work on your speech. This is crucial. Start by writing rough notes at the same time you begin working on menus and party themes. Writing is a process and worked on by our subconscious even when we are not directly focusing on it. Collect the little bits your subconscious offers up over time and write it all down. This becomes your raw material and is then easy to fashion into a coherent speech.
- Do not try and cram everything about your child who you have raised and loved for over a decade into a few short minutes. Pick 4-5 of his/her strongest qualities and praise him/her for them and even do so using an anecdote or two. Remember that although this is your child’s special day, too much public praise can leave your listeners uncomfortable and your child feeling awkward in front of his/her friends. Which leads me to…
- If you are not sure whether a story or a particular characteristic of your child will cause embarrassment, CHECK IT OUT! What may be a lovely part of your child’s relationship with you may not be something he/she will be happy letting her classmates hear. If you are unsure whether to include something ask… or play it safe and leave it out.
- Think about something meaningful to you as a parent and/or as a family that you would like to convey to your child as he begins his/her Jewish adult journey through life. It could be something your parents taught you that helped you throughout your life or it could be something that your particular child needs to hear. There are numerous sources you can turn to for help in formulating your ideas; Jewish source books, psychology books and trusted family and friends are a start. This is the core of your speech and the more thought you give it the more confident and powerful you will feel when you stand up to speak.
- Be yourself. Make sure that what you get up to say truly reflects you. If you are not good at telling jokes, don’t. If you are in the medical profession use it and its language to express yourself. In other words, use what is familiar to you and what you are acquainted with. Now is not the time to try out a new style of expression. Use your own style, just use it honestly and with consideration.
I hope these tips help you to get going on your speech. Wishing you happy writing and a wonderful celebration.
Why You're Having a Bat Mitzvah: An Open Letter to My Daughter
Beloved daughter,
You and I have been having an interesting dialogue about your bat mitzvah – or, as you would say, the question of your bat mitzvah. I remember the look in your eyes when I casually mentioned that you'd be stepping up to the bimah in less than two years. "No!" you shouted back, incredulous, "I'm not having a bat mitzvah! I hate Hebrew school!" I felt that flush of righteous indignation that always hits me when you're defiant, just before I remember that I haven't exactly raised you to be passive and acquiescent. Still, I thought that somewhere in the transfer of DNA that occurred during conception, you would understand that becoming a bat mitzvah was as much a part of your future as losing your baby teeth.
Your resistance has led me down a path of introspection about what it means to celebrate a bat mitzvah and why it's so important to me – because I don't just love you, I respect you and revere you, and I know that your challenges are not something to be dismissed. As much as I just wanted to say "Because I said so," I felt an obligation to explain my conviction to you.
You've said from time to time that you don't want to be Jewish – because you don't believe in God, or at best, you're not sure what you believe. I have news, honey: You're in good company. It's perfectly normal to wrestle with the notion of God. Whether internally or out loud, people have been doing it for millennia. Reform Judaism embraces this struggle as part of our identity.
But here's the thing. You don't have to want to be Jewish; you are Jewish. There are Jews by choice, those who convert to Judaism, but you are not one of them. No matter what you believe about God, no matter how much you like or dislike going to services, it doesn't change the fact that the Jews are your people. You have a shared history.
The day you were born, I handed you a torch that has been passed down from generation to generation for more than 5,000 years. It is the light unto the nations referenced in Isaiah. It is the spark of the divine in each of us. It is the rune that proclaims our values, our ethical code, our rituals and traditions- born of faith, yet borne through history even when our faith was shaken. In the broader expanse of our family life that happens outside of the synagogue, you are bathed in the light of this torch, whether you identify it as a Jewish light or not. In the scripture of Judaism, you will find commandments to treat the earth kindly, welcome the stranger, treat animals humanely, give to the poor. You will find admonitions against waste, greed, short-sightedness, and idle chatter. Every day, your life is guided by these values. I see it in the way you navigate the world.
Your bat mitzvah is a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. It is a time when you stand before God and everyone, holding the torch you were handed at birth and affirming that it is still lit.
As for the religion of Judaism: So many who identify as Reform Jews – including me – struggle with this. I won't be able to answer during my lifetime the question of whether there is a God, but this doesn't make the construct of our religion meaningless to me. The liturgy, the stories of the Torah, the fabric of social action woven into our culture, the rituals of gratitude and rest and introspection and repentance, the tunes I hum alone in the car: all of this provides a structure within which I make sense of life, death, and my purpose on earth. The cloudy notion of something larger than myself that floats around in my head gains traction in our religion. This is a far cry from declaring the Bible to be the inerrant word of God. I have never and will never believe that; I hope you never do, either.
Our life is so full of blessings that we lose track of them. Sometimes it feels like a perverse version of Dayenu , the song we sing at Passover meaning "It would have been enough."
If God had given us an unrationed supply of clean drinking water, but not provided a bubbling fountain with a filter for our cats to drink from, it would have been enough. ...
Even if nothing else comes from your Jewish identity, I hope it at least instills in you a sense of wonder and awe at creation, and the impulse to give thanks for it. When the world seems so full of darkness that I can barely stand to look it in the eye, I retreat to the things that humans have not created: the sand and the sea, the rush of the waters, the crash of the heavens, to quote Hannah Senesh. I find solace in the things my arms and legs can do, the things my heart can do, our capacity for joy.
For all the beauty of creation, for the awe and mystery that does not defy but rather wraps itself around science – embraces it, if you will – I am grateful to have our Jewish traditions to honor it, remember it, and act as its steward. If your Jewish education gives you the reverence to live an inspired life, to commit yourself to making your life a blessing – even if you never set foot in a synagogue again after your bat mitzvah – Dayenu . It will be enough.
I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I was in my early teens. I could let you opt out now, skip the bat mitzvah, find your own way – and you'd probably be just fine. But I don't want you to look back 30 years from now and say, "I wish I had."
So, that's why you're having a bat mitzvah. I love you with every ounce of me.
About the Author
Karen White , a member of Temple Emanu-El in San Jose, CA, lives with her partner and her two children in the San Francisco Bay Area. She travels regularly to Israel for work and writes about parenting, and other things that make you go "hmm," with a Jewish perspective.
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Five Tips For Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parents: How To Write An Impactful Bima Speech
After months (and often years) of planning, your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah day is finally here. You may be asked to give a speech during the service to acknowledge how hard your child has worked to prepare for this milestone. Like many of my clients, you may feel eager to give this type of speech, but struggle with how to put your thoughts together in speech form. You worry about what stories to share, how to avoid sounding generic and how to hold your emotions together on such a special day. When it’s time to craft your speech, keep these five tips in mind:
1. Think about tie to Judaism. Nowadays families can get so swept up in the details of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah party that the importance of the service can often play second fiddle. The parent’s speech is an opportunity to acknowledge the spiritual and religious significance of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah itself. You can consider talking about the role that Judaism plays in your child’s life or what Jewish values you prioritize at home. If you are not particularly observant, there’s no need to exaggerate, but finding one Jewish theme or teaching is a good way to remind your child of why he/she is having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the first place.
2. Be proud, but not too proud. When it comes to your child, it is expected that you will share your pride and joy with the family and friends who have gathered for the service. This is your opportunity to share just how exceptional your child really is. Just be cautious that your whole speech doesn’t become a bragging fest. It’s perfectly okay to talk about Jacob’s piano talents or Hannah’s prowess on the soccer friend, but do so in moderation. And make sure that you’re not sharing a laundry list of accomplishments. Your guests will be much more interested to hear about your child’s character or the unique relationship you have with your child.
3. Capture the highlights, not the full story. Think of your speech like a highlights reel rather than a documentary. Since you only have about five minutes to deliver your speech, you don’t have time to tell your child’s entire life story. Pick one or two heartwarming or funny stories that truly capture the spirit of your child. It may be tempting to share inside jokes, but remember that you want everyone in the room to be able to relate to what you are saying. Opt for the memories that will resonate beyond those “in the know.”
4. Make a wish. This is a turning point in your child’s life as he/she finds the delicate balance between adolescence and adulthood. It’s natural for you to look ahead and express your future hopes and dreams for your child. This is a nice way to wrap up your speech. At the same time, try to avoid using generic language so that you can end on a high note. Be specific. Let’s say your child loves ice cream. Consider saying something like, “May your life be filled the happiness that a mint chocolate chip, cookie dough ice cream sundae with extra fudge can provide.” This is much more impactful than saying, “My biggest wish is that your life is happy.”
5. Address your child directly. Toward the end of the speech, talk directly to your child. Say his/her name and make eye contact. This is the time to express or reiterate the two or three things you want your child to remember and take with him/her long after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah has ended. This is your moment to connect one-on-one with your child despite being in front of a larger audience. Make it count.
When it’s time to deliver your speech, know that you can’t go wrong with words from the heart. A parent’s love for a child is such a beautiful thing to express, so go with it. And if your emotions start to show, it’s okay. Trust me, your child will still be proud of you.
#Barmitzvah #BatMitzvah #BarMitzvahspeechforparents #BatMitzvahspeechforparents #bima
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What I said to my daughter
Apr 19, 2015 | Blog
It was my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah last week. (A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a religious rite of passage ceremony, when a Jewish child becomes 13)
Katsoulis Photography
We had the most wonderful celebration and deep heartfelt ritual!
As part of the ceremony, I spoke what was in my heart and mind, to Ruby on this special day. When I was done, one of my dear friends came up to me and said “You have to share that speech on your blog. Every woman – young or old, Jewish or not – needs to hear those words.”
So…even though it feels a bit vulnerable, because these are my personal words to my daughter… here they are.
This is what I most wanted Ruby to know on her Bat Mitzvah – and it’s really what I want all women to know.
I talked to Ruby about being a powerful woman, and the 5 things it takes to be a powerful woman in this world.
I hope you find it valuable and inspiring too 🙂
Here it is:
This past Monday night, the four of us were sitting down for dinner and we were chatting about the Bat Mitzvah. We were going over the details and what still needed to be done. I mentioned I still needed to write what I was going to say during this service.
Ruby said: “Seriously Mom, the bat mitzvah is this Saturday and you haven’t written a thing!”
I said no, I haven’t written anything because there’s really only ONE thing I want to say to you on your bat mitzvah day.
Really, just one thing.
Then – and here’s the advantage of having kids who are writers – they told me to just say what I really wanted to say right up front, and then explain exactly why this is the most important thing for me to say to you today.
So, with much appreciation to my kids for structuring my speech, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Here’s what I really want to say today – to you Ruby
- Never stop speaking your truth
- Never stop saying what you mean
- Never stop writing your life, your thoughts and your feelings
- Never stop dancing your passion and beauty
- Never stop expressing your vision
- Never ever stop being loud and proud about your opinions
Ruby, most people in this world take a while to find their voice, to figure out what they think and how they want to express it, but that’s never been you.
You’ve always been, opinionated; you’ve always had a voice. A clear voice, and a clear point of view.
And absolutely, sometimes it feels a bit intense, and there have been times when I’ve shushed you or tried to have you look at things from a rosier perspective. But even in those moments, when I’ve wished that your perception of the world wasn’t so astute and acute, I celebrate you and applaud you.
I take deep pride that you say what you think and feel, that you rant, that you complain, that you say what you want and need.
You are your own young woman.
There’s something very cool that you embody, which is a powerful femininity and a fierce strength, and I want to champion and support you in having both. I love that you embrace all things girly and all things powerful.
Ballet seems like the perfect metaphor here – a very apt analogy for you of course.
But it’s kind of like how people can get fooled by the grace and femininity of ballet dancing. They think it’s such a delicate art form and yet nothing could be farther from the truth. It takes huge strength, hard work and a tenacity to be a ballet dancer.
You are a strong dancer my girl – on stage and in life.
And of the many things I could be talking to you about today, I want to talk to you about your strength and your voice.
And in addition to reflecting back to you what I see, I want to offer you 5 things to take with you as you go through life as a powerful woman.
One is community :
To walk this world as a powerful woman, we need support, we need community. And I want you to look out right now. Just take a moment and look out…this is your support…this is your community.
Just pause for a moment – and check out this amazing gathering of people – that have come for you.
Family, old friends, dear friends, school friends, dance friends, Hebrew school friends, mentors. This is quite a crew, right?
It’s kind of like last night at Shabbat services, when the Rabbi asked you and your tribe to come up to light the candles, and there you were with 20 people standing by you and behind you.
We will always standing by you and behind you.
The second thing I want to give you is actually something you’ve already claimed formally for yourself today and that is your identity as a Bat Mitzvah – a daughter of the commandments – a woman with a Jewish heritage and Jewish identity.
This is something you’re already stepped into with such grace, but I want you to know there’s so much more for you here in this world of spirit and deep tradition. You have a whole spiritual journey ahead of you. And the cool thing is, you get to explore and discover what deeply enriches you, what lights you up and what connects you to your unique definition of G*d, Spirit, Shechina, Adonai.
There’s no right way to do this spiritual journey of life, but this temple – the amazing leadership that has been here for you with Rabbi Cari, Rabbi Rim and Beth, your amazing Hebrew school friends, our special experiences at Mayyim Hayiim, your own depth and curiosity – these will all guide you well.
The third thing I want you to have in your life as a powerful woman is compassion. Compassion for others as well as deep compassion for yourself
I loved that you talked today about how everyone needs to be allowed to make mistakes. Because inherent in that permission to be truly human – is compassion – understanding that we’re not perfect, and we deserve to be treated with kindness, tenderness and care.
I know you set a high bar for yourself in life. You do a lot of things really well, but I ask you to hold those high expectations in one hand, and in the other, I want you to hold an equal – if not more amount of self-compassion. I want you to be kind with yourself.
The fourth thing I want to offer you today is something that I want you to give yourself, and that is vulnerability. And that’s because when you are vulnerable – when you let life in and really let it touch you at your core, and you let your self, your authentic self out, in all of it’s realness – it’s exquisite.
I feel very privileged to be let in to this inner, vulnerable world of yours and your writing has let other people in as well. I just want you to know that your vulnerability, you being real – is very, very powerful.
The last thing I want to offer you today – has always been yours and will always be yours – and that’s me.
I want you to know in your journey of life that I am always on your side. Always. Even when we’re cranky with each other, I lose patience, you lose patience. I’m here. There’s always somewhere to land, and just be without being “on.” I’m right here for you.
My dear little, big, powerful, fierce and beautiful girl.
I am very proud of you and just want to reflect back to you that
There is power in you.
There is wisdom in you
Yes I know it will grow and evolve, but I don’t want you to wait ‘til it’s all “just so” to share it with the world. I want you to take the wise words that you shared today about letting yourself make mistakes, and go out and give the world the gift of your power.
I don’t even care what format it takes.
Whether it’s your dance, your writing, your YouTube channel idea, anything.
Just keep sharing what is real for you.
I want you to be the powerful woman that you are.
And to you, who is reading this, I want you to be the powerful woman that YOU are.
Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, certified Health Coach and Psychology of Eating Coach believes that every women deserves to feel good in their own body. She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can love their body and life! She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and NourishedWomanNation.com
She helps busy women look and feel their best, and helps them feed their kids well in a world that doesn’t.
She’s the author of “ Feed Your Kids Well In A World That Doesn’t: an everyday guide to make healthy food happen in your home and beyond” . She’s also the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
To get your F.R.E.E. Video Series “What to do now, when everything you’ve done hasn’t worked” by mail and receive her healthy recipes and wellness tips click here .
Nina Manolson, MA, NBC-HWC, is a Body-Peace™ Coach.
She is a board certified Health Coach, Psychology of Eating Coach and Certified Body-Trust Provider, believes that every woman deserves to feel good in her own body.
She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can truly feel at peace in their body! She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and The Nourished Woman Nation .
She specializes in working with women over 40 who have tried many other diets and approaches but are still struggling with their relationship to body and food.She’s the creator of the BODY-LOVE MAP and the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.To take a powerful step on the Body-Peace™ Path, download your Practicing Body-Peace Journal right HERE .
If you’d like help with navigating an authentic and respectful relationship with your body. Let’s talk .
11 Comments
So lovely! Thank you for sharing, Nina.
Thanks so much for your warm words Ronnie!
What a beautiful and meaningful speech to your daughter. Congratulations!
Thank you Judy!
Absolutely beautiful, Nina! You have me in tears. What a wonderful message to give your daughter, and all the women reading. Thank you.
Thank you so much Jill, I’m so glad it touched you.
I love this. Your daughter is lucky to have you as an example and role model and source of support and unconditional love in her life. That kind of support makes all the difference in life. And I love the beauty and power in ritual. My mom held rituals for me and my siblings, marking different rites of passage, and reading this reminds me of when my mom invited a circle of her women friends to share their wisdom with me before I left for college.
Emelina, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pre-college circle – I’m taking notes!!! And thanks so much for your warm words <3
You’re welcome. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! I take your words to heart and will apply them to my daily life. My mother and I have not always been the best communicators with one another. My sister and I both inherited pieces of our mother’s wedding ring on our 21st birthdays. My sister received this lovely speech about how wonderful she was and what a joy she was from our mom. When I received mine, it was buried inside of a make-up brush’s bag. I got no speech or kind words. Just a weak smile. So to erase the harsh memory of that day, I’m replacing her weak smile with your speech, as if it were directly from her to me. Thanks again!
Carlitta, Thanks so much for sharing your painful story and for taking my words as a healing and powerful message – just as they were intended.
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COMMENTS
I want you to be the powerful woman that you are. May 22, 2015. It was my daughter's bat mitzvah last week. (Courtesy Nina Manolson) We had the most wonderful celebration and deep, heartfelt ritual! As part of the ceremony, I spoke what was in my heart and mind to Ruby on this special day. When I was done, one of my dear friends came up to me ...
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Speech Example #2: Short, Sweet & Funny. This is a speech given by Ronny, a father from Hartford, CT, who gave this speech on his son's Bar Mitzvah. Take Notes: Notice the witty jokes and the length of this speech: short, sweet and to the point. Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight in celebrating our beloved son's Bar ...
Opening Your Speech. Start by telling your daughter how proud you are. Then tell her and the congregation some of the personality traits about her that you most admire. " [Insert first name of your child]. Your [mother/father] and I are so proud of how well you did today, leading the congregation in prayer this morning.
Please select your Torah portion from this list for more resources, including themes and lessons to enhance your Bat Mitzvah speech. Don't know your Torah Portion? » Tips & best practices for writing your speech Bat Mitzvah. Bat Mitzvah: What It Is and How to Celebrate. Celebrate Your Bat Mitzvah . Bat Mitzvah Speeches. Bat Mitzvah Study.
That was my advice to her on her bat mitzvah day. The good news, for me and her, is that I mean it. Eric Messinger is Editor of New York Family. He can be reached at [email protected]. Our editor has a simple, but powerful, message for his 13-year-old girl at her mitzvah celebration.
Short Summary. Parents must understand the importance of crafting a memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech for their child. Incorporate humor, emotion and personal anecdotes to create an inspiring and personalized speech. Follow tips such as finding your voice, practicing regularly & incorporating Jewish values & traditions into your presentation.
1. Back up your adjectives with anecdotes. It's natural for parents to want to describe their child with flattering adjectives. After all, this is your moment to share with your guests what makes your child so special. But beware getting trapped in what I like to call the "laundry list of adjectives.".
Take a deep breath (or two) before you speak. You'll probably feel a little (read: a LOT) nervous before you speak, that's normal. If that happens, then before you give your Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech: Take a few deeeeeeeep breaths. Relax…. Organize your thoughts…. Repeat to yourself: "I'm in control…I'm in control….
When it was time to write my speech for my daughter's Bat Mitzvah I thought it would be easy. After all, I knew my daughter inside and out. I had a lifetime of memories to showcase. And I'm a professional speechwriter! But when I sat down to compose my thoughts I found myself overwhelmed by just how much I had to say. And I must admit I felt a certain pressure that this speech, in ...
We will work while you sleep to provide a last minute personal speech or Dvrar Torah! This is what some of our Bat Mitzvah clients and partners have said to us: We were completely bowled over with the first draft that came back from Tali. It was right on the nose - exactly what we wanted. The D'var Torah was a masterful blend of humor ...
Here are my 5 tips to help you write and deliver a memorable speech: Give yourself enough time before the celebration to work on your speech. This is crucial. Start by writing rough notes at the same time you begin working on menus and party themes. Writing is a process and worked on by our subconscious even when we are not directly focusing on it.
My Bat-Mitzvah Speech. I want to tell you a little about Parshat Shemot, which literally means "names," and which we just read this past Shabbat. And I want to tell you about my name, which is related to the Torah portion called Names. My Hebrew name is Tova Mishka. Tova means good, and Mishka, my middle name, is the feminine version of Moshe ...
In case of abuse, January 23, 2016. Beshallah. Annie Rose, When your mother and I discussed what we should say to you today, I thought first about Parshat Bo. Sometimes, looking back is the ...
Miriam. Your Hebrew name, Miriam, has its significance in the Jewish faith as being the older sister of Moses. The name itself first appears in the book of Exodus and actually means "bitter sea," because she was born at a time when the Egyptians embittered the lives of the Jews. Miriam, however, remained sweet despite the hardships around her ...
Question: My daughter will be Bat Mitzvah 'ed this coming year. We have begun reviewing the Torah reading for the week of her Bat Mitzvah to find a message she can talk about, it is Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36), and we are having some difficulty relating its passages to our lives and understanding what it means.Can you help? Answer: This section of the Torah is a most appropriate section for a ...
Beloved daughter, You and I have been having an interesting dialogue about your bat mitzvah - or, as you would say, the question of your bat mitzvah. I remember the look in your eyes when I casually mentioned that you'd be stepping up to the bimah in less than two years. "No!" you shouted back, incredulous, "I'm not having a bat mitzvah!
This is much more impactful than saying, "My biggest wish is that your life is happy.". 5. Address your child directly. Toward the end of the speech, talk directly to your child. Say his/her name and make eye contact. This is the time to express or reiterate the two or three things you want your child to remember and take with him/her long ...
Nobody told us that! In the hospital they taught us to gently pour warm soapy water over you and to carefully shampoo your hair. So that's what we did. And it wasn't enough. So, right about now you're probably wondering, "Why, Abba, on my Bat Mitzvah day, are you telling 130 people, including all of my friends, about how I smelled as a ...
This is my first child's Bat Mitzvah. My daughter, my baby girl, my pride, and joy. This is the little girl who used to have blonde hair, wear tiny vertical pigtails, and hold my hand as we walked up and down Third Avenue. This is the little girl whom I pushed in every swing, in every park on the Upper East Side, twice.
It was my daughter's Bat Mitzvah last week. (A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a religious rite of passage ceremony, when a Jewish child becomes 13) We had the most wonderful celebration and deep heartfelt ritual! As part of the ceremony, I spoke what was in my heart and mind, to Ruby on this special day. When […]
Grass to be lyin' on, sun up above. Pillows for cryin' on, when you're in love. Ponies for ridin' on, wind in your hair. Slides to be slidin' on, leaves in the air. Dolls to be caring for, love to be giving. Dreams to be daring for, as long as you're living. In my words: exaggerate, fantasize, embellish.
Bat mitzvah is Hebrew for "daughter of commandment.". When a Jewish girl turns 12, she has all the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. From that date, she takes her place in the Jewish community. This milestone—called a bat mitzvah —is often celebrated with creative projects, meaningful ...
It was the portion I read for my Bat Mitzvah, and I thought that after some 40 years it was time to revisit it. I wasn't much of a Torah scholar back then, and I haven't exactly applied myself ...
Bat Mitzvah literally means "daughter of commandment" in Hebrew. It is one of the most important occasions in the Jewish communities wherein a Jewish girl turns 12 and obtains all the rights ...
1. The Intro. Start by offering a warm welcome to everyone joining in the ceremony and celebration. You can also tell a relevant joke or funny story to warm up the crowd. 2. Learn from the Torah. The most important part of your speech will be a d'var Torah, a story or idea from the weekly Torah portion. Try to choose one with a lesson ...