Bar Mitzvah FAQ

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:

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   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 


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   ׂ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


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   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


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

 Q: How does one reserve a date to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah? Is there a specific date on which it should be celebrated?

 A: The Bar Mitzvah is the Hebrew date of the boyױs 13th birthday. The ceremony, including his being called up to the Torah can take place on Monday or Thursday or on Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Hebrew month), days when the Torah is read during morning services. The ceremony should be held as close to the birthday as possible. It can be observed on or after the Hebrew birthday, and only in specific and rare occasions up to a month before.

Q: Does one need to reserve the date for the Kotel ceremony in advance? How long before the date does one need to reserve it? How is it done?

A: Holding a Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel requires advance reservation with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation in order to reserve a guide who will accompany you throughout the ceremony and assist in running it. One can reserve the date from 6 months in advance to as late as one week before the event. The reservation can be made in one of two ways: (1) via the Foundationױs website (link), or (2) by telephone, *5958. In exceptional circumstances, reservations can be made at shorter notice, by telephone only.

Q: On which days and at what hours can the ceremony be held at the Western Wall?

A: Bar Mitzvahs are held on days when the Torah is read, i.e., Mondays and Thursdays or on Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Hebrew month). On these days ceremonies are held between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Q:  What happens if it rains on the day of the ceremony?

A:  On rainy days, the ceremony is held inside the area called Wilsonױs Arch, to the left of the menױs prayer area. This is an inside area that includes a raised womenױs section, separated by glass. The women can hear the prayers by using earphones loaned to them by the hostess stationed in the womenױs section.

Q: Where is the closest parking area?

A:  You can see all the options here 

Q:  Can we bring refreshments to the ceremony? What food is recommended to serve and where is the service area? Where is the food left during the ceremony?

A:   Refreshments are obviously an inseparable part of the celebration at the Kotel.  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.
1. The porch is not wheelchair accessible. It can only be reached by stairs.
2. The Haguy tunnel is on the same level as the Western Wall Plaza and is accessible for families.

Q:  How long does the ceremony last? Does the ceremony always start on time or could there be delays?

A: The ceremony itself lasts approximately 40 minutes, but additional time should be allotted for setting up the ceremony and the arrival of all the guests, using the restrooms, etc. It is advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before the arranged time and to also take into account possible traffic delays getting to Jerusalem and inside the Old City, finding parking, and walking to the Western Wall Plaza.
Aside from rare occurrences, we stand closely to the time-frame set for the ceremony, so that once you arrive at the Kotel there should not be too much of a wait.