Return to Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ideas and Primer for Interfaith Families.

Also see Sample Candlelighting Ceremony by Rabbi Peter Schweitzer.

We now mark our celebration with a candle-lighting ceremony. By assigning symbolic values to each candle, we recall the themes of the bar/bat mitzvah service.

The modern ritual also reminds us that our ceremonies and observances are not fixed in stone, but that Judaism is evolving. Innovation is not only possible, it is welcome.

The student calls up his/her relatives and/or friends to light the candles on the cake (or in some synagogues, a candelabrum). (See Sample Candlelighting Ceremony.)

The candles are lit.

Guests:

Congratulations & Mazel Tov!

End with singing Hayvenu Shalom Aleichem

Lyrics to Hayvenu Shalom Aleichem:

Ha-venu sha-lom a-leichem

Ha-venu sha-lom a-leichem

Ha-venu sha-lom a-leichem

Ha-venu sha-lom sha-lom sha-lom-a-leichem. (repeat)

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ideas and Primer for Interfaith Families is also available as a PDF document.