Connecting to the Chain of Generations
Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel
For decades, thousands of families from Israel and around the world have celebrated family Bar Mitzvahs at the Western Wall –a remnant of our Holy Temple, where all Jews are invited to pray. Each week, the Western Wall Plaza fills with joyous and emotional families who have arrived to celebrate their sons’ Bar Mitzvahs here – the source of inspiration and yearning by Jews for centuries, and a symbol of the fortitude and strength of the State of Israel.
In a special ambience of unity and holiness, an unforgettable experience is created for the young Bar Mitzvah boy and his family as a new link is created in the eternal chain of generations – that of Jewish families in particular and the Jewish people as a whole. It is no surprise that several generations of the same family have celebrated their sons’ Bar Mitzvahs in this way.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites you to commemorate this meaningful family event at the Western Wall, and is available to assist with the Bar Mitzvah planning at all stages of the celebration – at no charge.
Quill of the Heart
An Experiential, Preparatory Gathering with the Bar Mitzvah Boy and His Family in One of the Western Wall Heritage Building’s Halls before His Laying of Tefillin and Being Called up to the Torah
Planning Your Bar Mitzvah Event
Things to Take Into Consideration
Event Planner
Consulting a professional event planner specializing in Bar Mitzvah planning will take much of the load off your shoulder. Others may feel up to the task of arranging everything themselves.
Budget
It is a good idea to set a budget as early in the planning process as possible. Doing so will provide a framework within which other choices can be made.
Next, you must decide on how many people will attend. Another matter is whether a ceremony at the Kotel is all you plan to hold or will there also be a reception before or after gathering at the Kotel.
Transportation
Transportation is also something which demands attention; parking in Jerusalem can be tricky and this must be taken into consideration if you plan to have guests arriving independently.
Venue Reception
If you plan to hold a reception before the ceremony at the Kotel, or directly after it, there are many possible venues you can choose from. It is important to pick a venue that best suits your needs which may include the number of guests, the way you wish to celebrate, the menu, how food and drinks will be served and other personal touches you would like to add.
Ceremony Times
The Bar Mitzvah ceremony can be held at the Western Wall on days when the Torah is read: Mondays or Thursdays, Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Hebrew month) and Chol Hamoed (the intermediate days of Sukkot and Passover).
However, any day (except Shabbat), a team of Bar Mitzvah guides are available to assist with the Bar Mitzvah planning between the hours of 7 AM – 1 PM with any issue, from organizing a place for your prayer service, to managing the ceremony and prayers and being called up to the Torah.
More Event Planning Information
Transportation to the Western Wall
The Western Wall Train and Shuttle bus depart from Jaffa Gate and return every 20 minutes between 08:20 and 13:40 – The travel is free only for Bar Mitzvah families (Monday and Thursday only).
Departure point – Karta Parking Lot 0 (the bus stop at Yitzhak Kariv Street
Destination– Goren Square near the Western Wall.
Refreshments
To the north of the Western Wall Plaza (to the left of the prayer plaza) there are two covered areas with tables for the use of Bar Mitzvah families who wish to bring refreshments.
- The rooftop is not wheelchair accessible. It can only be reached by stairs
- The balcony is wheelchair accessible
Registration
Because so many families celebrate events at the Western Wall throughout the year, it is necessary that you register the date of your event in advance in order for us to host you comfortably and appropriately. As part of the Bar Mitzvah planning, we take great efforts to arrange the ceremony according to each particular family’s wishes and individual preferences. Pre-registration will enable you to choose the prayer version (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, etc.) and language (Hebrew, English, French, Russian, etc.) that fit your needs.
Do you have questions about the Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall?
We have compiled frequently asked questions and answers for you
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Preparation
We invite you to take part in a national virtual program consisting of six meetings in the family home which are a unique, formative, and significant process that deepens the connection with the Jewish nation’s chain of generations and heritage. The program concludes with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child and parents touring the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall.
Young Guides Program
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation offers a unique opportunity to Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls: Lead a tour for their family members in one of the Western Wall sites – the Tunnels or the Chain of Generations Center.
