Bar Mitzvah Planning at the Western Wall

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 praying wall for Jews from all around the world. 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.

Things to Take Into Consideration

It is an unforgettable experience for a Jewish family not living in Israel to come to Jerusalem when their young boy turns thirteen, for some it may literally be a dream come true. Many parents who choose to celebrate their son’s Bar Mitzvah bar in Jerusalem have relatives and friends travel long distances in order to attend. It is important to take into consideration all that is necessary to ensure all stages of the event run smoothly so that everybody thoroughly enjoys participating.

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.
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 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.

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 which best suits your needs it terms of number of guests, the way you wish to celebrate, the menu, how food and drinks will be served etc.
A Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel holds great potential for being highly emotional, moving, exciting and enjoyable. Careful Bar Mitzvah planning will ensure this potential is fulfilled.

Ceremony Times

The Bar Mitzvah ceremony can be held at the Western Wall on days when the Torah is read: Mondays or Thursdays and also Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Hebrew month). On these days, a team of Bar Mitzvah guides is available to assist 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.

Registration

Because so many families celebrate at the Western Wall throughout the year, we recommend and request 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 character; pre-registration will enable you to choose the prayer version (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, etc.) and language (Hebrew, English, French, Russian, etc.) that fit your needs.

For reservations click here organizing a place for your prayer service, to managing the ceremony and prayers and being called up to the Torah.

Transportation to the Western Wall

The Western Wall Train and Shuttle bus depart from Jaffa Gate and return every 20 minutes between 08:40 and 13:20 – The travel is free for Bar Mitzvah families.
Departure point – Karta Parking Lot 0 (the bus parking lot parallel to Yitzhak Kariv Street)
Destination– Goren Square near the Western Wall.

Refreshments

Nearby the Western Wall Plaza there are two possible areas with tables and chairs for the use of Bar Mitzvah families who wish to bring refreshments.

1. The rooftop is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible and can only be reached by stairs.
2. The porch of the Western Wall Heritage Building is accessible for families with wheelchairs and strollers.