Sponsoring the Main Kiddush

A lovely and meaningful way to include the entire community in your simcha is to sponsor the Main Kiddush following your Shabbat service, regardless of whether you and your guests plan to attend. Kiddush sponsorship opportunities are available at ckj.org/giving.

Logistics & Final Details

Three months before a child’s ceremony, families are encouraged to meet with Riva Alper and one of the KJ rabbis to discuss the logistics of the day, including the timing of services, family participation, your child’s inclusion in the synagogue bulletin, the Parsha learning process (if relevant) and the preparation of the Dvar Torah (if relevant).

ALIYOT & OTHER HONORS

We will also discuss honors available to your family including aliyot, ark opening/closing, hagbah and gelilah. A list of those being honored should be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the date of your simcha. The list should include the Hebrew names of all guests you would like to honor, together with their parent’s Hebrew names. This list should be submitted to Rabbi Feldman for the Main service, Rabbi Laniado for Sephardic minyan, or Rabbi Kraus for Beginners. The rabbi will then introduce you to the Gabbaim. The synagogue will try to accommodate as many of your requests as possible.

Please note that both a Hebrew and English transliteration of the necessary blessings are available on the Bimah for use by your honorees.

Torah Reading Rehearsals

If you would like to schedule a final rehearsal in the room where you are holding the service/ ceremony we recommend this take place the week before the ceremony. Please contact Riva Alper to arrange a convenient time. Please note that many Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutors will also arrange for practice sessions in the room where the ceremony is taking place.

Photography

Should you wish to gain access to the sanctuary for photographs, please contact Riva Alper at the synagogue office well in advance to make arrangements during the week preceding your Shabbat celebration. These arrangements are to be made by appointment only. The Torah may not be removed from the ark for the purpose of taking photographs without permission from the synagogue.

Respect for Shabbat & Holidays

We ask that you please remind your invited guests that the synagogue is a sacred place and the use of all electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones and cameras, are prohibited on Shabbat and Yom Tov. Men and boys should wear kippot while in the building, and all married male guests are encouraged to wear a Tallit. Married women are encouraged to wear a headcovering. It is common, although not required, for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family to provide kippot for men and head coverings for women.

Timing of Services

Shabbat morning services begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., whether or not your family is present. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is encouraged to arrive fifteen minutes before the service begins. Please urge all of your guests to arrive on time and remain throughout the service.

Flowers for the Bimah & Elsewhere

Many families elect to order flowers for placement on the Bimah or next to the podium where the Bnei Mitzvah speeches are given. Please ask Riva Alper for information on when floral arrangements should be delivered and size recommendations.