Q:  What happens when we arrive at the Western Wall? Where do we meet the guide?

A: The Bar Mitzvah ceremonyױs stand is located immediately after the security check gate adjacent to Dung Gate. Two National Service volunteers are there whose job it is to introduce your group to the guide who will accompany you throughout the ceremony.

Q:  Can we photograph and video at the Western Wall?

A: Yes, videos and photographs can be taken at the Western Wall. There is also the option for the Western Wall Heritage Foundation to photograph the Bar Mitzvah boy and to upload his picture onto our website, with the familyױs approval, of course.

Q:  In what languages can the ceremony be conducted?

A: The guides of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation speak various languages, including English, Arabic, French and Spanish. If you would like the ceremony run in a language other than Hebrew, you must indicate your language of choice when you register for the ceremony. We will try, but cannot guarantee, to find you a guide in your requested language.

Q:  Who runs the ceremony? What qualifications does he have?

A: Our guides have all undergone careful selection, specialized training and qualification by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. All our guides are trained in leading prayers and in helping create a festive and joyful atmosphere. Our guides are familiar with the proper Torah reading װtropױ (notes) and can assist in the Torah reading as needed. In addition to helping run the ceremony, the guide will also assist you in all logistics such as finding a table in the Kotel area, bringing a Torah scroll and prayer books, and the like.

Q:  Can we incorporate personal greetings and comments into the ceremony?

A: Absolutely!! Personal greetings and blessings can be included in the ceremony with the help of your guide who will indicate to you the proper time and place for such by maintaining appropriate limitations of modesty as is warranted at this holy site.

Q: What do you suggest that we do before or after the ceremony? What tours or activities do you suggest?

A: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has a wide variety of activities (for a fee) that can be incorporated either before or after the ceremony at the Kotel. Among these activities are:

• 
  
   The ׂQuill of the Heart׃ ׀ an encounter with an ancient tradition of Jewish scribes, writing Torah scrolls, phylacteries (tױfillin) and mezuzot), in one of the beautiful halls located in the Kotel Tunnels. click here 


• 
  
   ׂYoung Guides׃ – a tour of the Kotel Tunnels or the Chain of Generations Center led by the Bar Mitzvah boy himself (requires registration and training 6-8 weeks in advance ׀ for more information click here


• 
  
   Family tour in one of the Kotelױs tourist sites ׀ the Tunnels, the Chain of Generations Center, or Behind the Scenes, led by one of the Foundationױs guides. click here


• 
  
   A Bar Mitzvah family tour in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, led by one of the Foundationױs guides. click here