Bar Mitzvah in Israel vs. America | How Do the Costs Compare

After sharing with you the story of our recent Bar Mitzvah in Israel, as well as all the details from my first son's Bar Mitzvah in Cleveland two years ago, I've heard from a number of you who really want to know: How do the costs compare? Which … [Read more...]

Apologies, To Do Lists + Tears of Joy

Yesterday, my middle boy was called up to the Torah for the first time. What a moment! I was definitely welling up with tears of joy... and pride... and relief... and awe. My to do list for the past two weeks has been pages-long each day, but … [Read more...]

A Fun Baseball Bar Mitzvah Party on a Budget

Welcome back to my series about how we planned my son's Bar Mitzvah on an intentional budget. So far, I've talked about invitations, our Friday night dinner for 40 people, and our Seudah Shlishit for 80. Today, I want to share with you the details … [Read more...]

Seudah Shlishit for 80 People | Menu, Recipes, Paper Goods & More

Welcome to Post #3 in my Bar Mitzvah on a Budget: Is it Possible series. Today, I'm going to cover what we did for Seudah Shlishit. If this is your first time here, you can read about the total budget for my son's recent Bar Mitzvah here, and see … [Read more...]

Friday Night Bar Mitzvah Dinner for 40 People | Menu, Recipes, Paper Good Tips & More

{Oh how I wish I'd thought to take pictures of the food before Shabbat started - alas, my words will have to suffice!} Today I am continuing my personal Bar Mitzvah on a Budget series by digging deep into my spreadsheets to share with you the … [Read more...]

Bar Mitzvah on an Intentional Budget | Can It Be Done? (Our Experience)

As promised, I want to share with you all some of the behind-the-scene details from my son's Bar Mitzvah this past Shabbat. I am going to be really honest with you guys about money, even though, quite frankly, it scares me to be this … [Read more...]

The Bar Mitzvah Is In the Books

The best advice I got before my son's Bar Mitzvah started was to take in every moment, because they go by so fast. And it was completely true - you spend months (and months!) planning, and then in a blink of an eye, it's over. I am not sure that I … [Read more...]

How to Get Inexpensive Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations — Less than $1/Piece

This post is an honest accounting of my experiences with each of the invitation companies I encountered. None of them knew I have a blog, nor did that fact impact the pricing or treatment I received. I paid for everything myself; I was not "comped", … [Read more...]

My Frugal Simcha | A Meaningful Bar Mitzvah on a Budget

My Frugal Simcha features reader's stories about their beautiful simchas - on a budget. If you have hosted a budget-friendly wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Brit Milah or other simcha, we'd love to read about it! Please fill out this form to submit your … [Read more...]

My Frugal Simcha: Toronto Bar Mitzvah Under $2,000

My Frugal Simcha features reader's stories about their beautiful simchas - on a budget. If you have hosted a budget-friendly wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Brit Milah or other simcha, we'd love to read about it! Please fill out this form to submit your … [Read more...]