FAQ’s | Jace's Barmitzvah

There is ample free parking on Ranui Road. Once you arrive walk round to the main Security Gates on Remuera Road.
Please advise the security team that you are there for Jace Harris’s Bar Mitzvah.
You will then be directed to the Synagogue at the end of the driveway.

The dress code is smart casual. Please dress modestly. For women, this means shoulders covered and modest skirts/dresses that cover knees. For men this means trousers and a smart shirt.
All men, whether Jewish or not, must wear a kippah [Hebrew] (a skull cap). Please feel free to take a custom one from the basket at the entrance and keep it as a momento of this special day.

Money or a gift card is a thoughtful and always-appreciated present.
In Jewish tradition, it is customary and meaningful to give monetary gifts in multiples of 18, as the Hebrew number 18 corresponds to chai, meaning “life.” For this reason, many people choose gift amounts such as $36 or $54, especially for occasions like a Bar Mitzvah, where giving in multiples of 18 is considered both traditional and auspicious. All gifts will be invested for Jace toward his future.
Please discretely pass these envelopes to Sheraz or Shane to put away.

This Shabbat service and our community is Jewish Modern Orthodox, which requires men and women to sit separately for the formal part of the service.
Jace’s friends will be guided to reserved seating so that they can sit together.
There will also be front rows reserved for immediate family and close family friends, please be respectful and leave these seats free.
If you are not sure where to sit, please feel free to ask, the congregation is very welcoming and happy to help.

At some point sweets will be handed around, please take a few and set them aside, it is tradition to throw them at the Bar Mitzvah boy – you will know when the time is right!
Jace’s friends and children are welcome and expected to go around collecting the sweets after they have been thrown. For the adults – enjoy any that land near you 😉

No filming or photographing at Shabbat or festival services, this includes the kiddush lunch afterwards.
No cellphones to be used or visible. No texting, playing games, or emails as the use of electronics is forbidden on Shabbat and festivals.

After the service we invite all our family, friends and guests to join us in the hall for the kiddish (light luncheon).
Important: please do not eat or drink anything until the Rabbi or Jace has completed the blessings.
As you enter the room where the kiddush (food) is, please take a shot glass of grape juice on offer and hold on to it until after the blessing of the wine.
The Rabbi or Jace will say a blessing for the wine before we drink or eat, please be quiet during this time and drink your wine when everyone else does.
The Rabbi or Jace will then make a blessing over the bread. These blessings end the formalities for the day and you can begin eating, drinking and socialising!