We look forward to welcoming you to the Shabbat Service for Jace Harris’s Bar Mitzvah. We also welcome you to our Synagogue, also known as a Shule, of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation (AHC) situated in the heart of the Jewish Auckland Hebrew Community Centre In Remuera.
When you arrive on the day, you will hear people greet each other with “Shabbat Shalom” or “Gut Shabbos” – which translate to “Have a Good /Peaceful Sabbath”.
We have created this site in order to help all the questions that family and friends have been sending us. The FAQ’s section will help answer most questions but feel free to call Sheraz if you have any further questions.
We would like to thank you in advance for those that coming to help us celebrate this incredibly special occasion with Jace, his family and the Auckland Jewish Community.
What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A Bar Mitzvah (for boys at age 13) marks an important coming-of-age milestone in Judaism. These ceremonies celebrate the moment when a young person is recognized as having reached religious maturity.
According to Jewish law, parents are responsible for their child’s actions during childhood. However, once a child reaches the age of Bar Mitzvah, they are considered to have entered a new stage of spiritual and moral responsibility. From this point forward, they are said to “become B’nai Mitzvah”, meaning “children of the commandments.”
This signifies that they are now personally accountable for observing the mitzvot—the commandments and ethical teachings of Judaism. They may also begin to participate more fully in Jewish communal life, such as being called to the Torah, leading certain prayers, and taking on greater responsibilities within their community and family.
While the religious significance is central, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah is also a moment of joy, celebration, and pride, honoring the child’s growth and their new role within the Jewish people.