Lets face it traditional Bar/Bat miztvahs suck, I am talking about the parties, not being called up to the torah for the first time and being pummeled with laffy taffies. I am talking about those lame parties with the girls standing on one corner and the guys at the other, waiting for someone to start dancing. I am talking about dancing the Hora with cousin Yanky from Lakewood or eating roasted chicken with instant mashed potatoes. Bat Mitzvahs I am told never existed until 30 years ago- but now that we have taken down the glass ceiling and put up a Plexiglas ceiling we have to have them- so it might as well be better then a simple meal of sushi and a day at David Busters.
Anyway someone sent me this thing for Israel Challenge– a company run by religious Jews that takes people Jeep Touring, canyoneering, shooting, mountain biking, rappeling and a bunch of combo trips. One of their things is adventure bar/bat mitzvhas- No Weddings huh? I always wanted my wedding to be ghetto and outside- although I have since found out through various channels that women, no matter how cool they are- still want their weddings in a nice white chapel with a tall steeple, ahem…shul, or random Boro Park wedding hall.
Here is sample Bar Mitzvah offering of theirs:
This is the total adventure package rolled into one unforgettable day. We invite you to Bike through the desert on some of the most breathtaking trails that Israel has to offer. Have your son/daughter enter adulthood in style by rappelling off of the cliffs of Metzukei Dragot. And take an exclusive jeep tour of the Judean Desert with experienced, friendly and outgoing English speaking guides. After this incredibly pleasurable and rewarding experience your guests enjoy a hot catered meal in the middle of the beautiful desert. Programs for small children and those not able to participate in physical activities are also available including camel, and donkey rides an authentic Bedouin tent, and much more.
reminds me of a comedy i once heard…a guy is so desperate for his son’s bar mitzvah to be memorable so he takes e/o to Africa to do it safari style. well they’re waiting and waiting to head out, and the guide informs them that they’ll have to wait a little longer as there are two bar mitzvah parties ahead of them.
money talks. I bet they’d do a wedding. Finding a woman who’d be willing to ask her entire family to go to Israel to attend her wedding would be the hard thing. Willing/who wants to get married outdoors? I’m sure you could find someone. They may be few and far between, but I’m sure they’re out there.
I should have mentioned – not really outdoors- more like on top of a mountain in Alaska’s Brooks Range or something.
If you are having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah don’t forget to do your part and donate to Jewish charities. Visit I’ve Done My Part, Inc. to donate at IveDoneMyPart.org .
Bar Mitzva’s should be done on top of the matsada.
My favorite part of this post: “David Busters”.
+1 at David Busters.
My barmitzvah was ghetto. I read the parsha and we had a sunday night meal in the shul hall. Not even a kiddush. (Obviously, nowhere near NY).
the most awesome wedding I ever went to was outdoors at a music festival…they had this band playing a grateful dead song, and during the jam in the middle the groom came down the hill, and then the bride came down, they stopped the music, they got married, and then after the ceremony part the band went back into the song. Everyone threw bird seeds at the couple as they got off the stage.
It was great, I’ve never been to a wedding where so many people who didn’t even know the couple were sooo happy for them. Everyone cheered when they said their I Do’s. (Most weddings I’ve been to were orthodox jewish weddings, and everyone seemed to be a little bit bitter and very snarky about the wedding, and sat around critisizing everything)
When i was engaged I was planning an outdoor wedding, but that didn’t really happen. I think when i do get married it’s going to end up being at city hall. If I had a bigger backyard I’d get married there…
There are plenty of girls who want to get married outdoors, garden style