FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The fee for us to organize and officiate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at the Kotel is $500 USD. The fee includes all the Bar / Bat Mitzvah arrangements at the Kotel. Including reserving a space at the Kotel, reserving a Bima, a Torah, prayer books, chairs etc. Leading the prayers and officiating the service. The fee also includes a beautiful Bar/ Bat Mitzvah certificate signed by the Rabbi of the Kotel. We arrange everything so you can just show up and celebrate the Bar / Bat Mitzvah headache free.

We can also provide referrals for photography and restaurant options and organize the ‘Kotel Drummers (for an extra fee which you pay directly to them)’. We are happy to give personal assistance and advice on all the details. And all of this done with the utmost devotion and true Jewish spirit that you will appreciate.

Generally, Bar Mitzvah’s at the Western Wall are held on Mondays, Thursdays, on the day of Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Jewish month), or on other days when we read from the Torah such as Chanukah and Chol Hamoed (the intermediary days of the holiday of Sukkot and Pesach). Bar Mitzvahs can also be held on Shabbat, but photography and such are forbidden.

Bat Mitzvahs can be held any day of the week and at any time of the day / evening. We strongly suggest NOT having in on  Monday and Thursday mornings when the Kotel can be very busy with Bar Mitzvahs.

In principal, we can read from the Torah or put on tefillin any time during the day. However, since traditionally one reads from the Torah and puts on tefillin during Shacharit (the Morning Prayer), Bar Mitzvahs are held until approximately 1:00 PM. Take into consideration that as the day progresses the Kotel Gets busier. So, the earlier the better.

Bat Mitzvahs can be held any day of the week and at anytime of the day / evening. We strogly suggest NOT having in on Monday and Thursday mornings when the Kotel can be very busy with Bar Mitzvahs.

Jewish tradition maintains that the ceremony of putting on the Tefillin and being called up to the Torah reading be done with a Minyan (a quorum of 10 men). The regular prayer service takes about an hour and includes the morning prayer of Shacharit.

Often, if the child is not used to a longer prayer service, the family chooses to have the child only put on the tefillin, or get called to the Torah. In these cases, the prayer service is a bit shorter, and includes only the main parts of the service.

A typical Bat Mitzvah service will look something like this: A. A few opening words from the Rabbi. B. Some prayers (Modeh ani, Adon Olam, Shma yisroel etc.). C. Words of blessings from the parents. D. Bat Mitzvah girl delivers a Dvar Torah. E. Rabbi’s Mi Sheberach for the Bat Mitzvah Girl. F. Closing words and presentation of Bat Mitzvah Certificate.

We are open to exploring other options and other things that the Bat Mitzvah girl may want to prepare. However, please note that we do things in the traditional way, and therefore we cannot officiate at a service with Torah reading for a Bat Mitzvah.

Yes. Every boy or girl that celebrates a Bar / Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall gets a beautiful certificate suitable for framing, signed by the Rabbi of the Western Wall. This certificate attests to the fact that the child celebrated this special day at the most important place to the Jewish nation- The Western Wall / Kotel.

Yes, we will be happy to organize this for you.
Basically, they meet you at Shaar Hashpot with Chupa, Shofars, clarinet and bongo drums and accompany you the security entrance of the Kotel. This is a 5 minute walk that they stretch to 25 minutes or so.

The cost is 800 shekels which you pay directly to the musicians which we will organize for you.

Usually, the service takes about an hour. But this really depends on how much the child prepares. Also, if you will have the ‘Kotel Drummers’ and professional photographers, you would need to add some extra time for that. The ‘Kotel Drummers take about 25 minutes and professional photographers will typically need about 30 minutes to an hour for all their special shots.

On rainy days in the autumn or winter, the Torah scrolls are not removed from the enclosed area of the Wall. During those times, the service is held within the enclosed area of the Wall, at “Wilson’s Arch”. Women can take part in the service from the women’s section / balcony there.

In the summer he sun beats down on the worshippers at the Kotel. We suggest preparing for this with hats, sunscreen and lots of water. There are large umbrellas set up at the Kotel that give some shade.

On rainy days in the autumn or winter, the Torah scrolls are not removed from the enclosed area of the Wall. During those times, the service is held within the enclosed area of the Wall, at “Wilson’s Arch”. Women can take part in the service from the women’s section there.

We provide everything that is needed for the service from the candies to the Torah the prayer books etc. It is customary for the Bar Mitzvah boy and all men over the age of 13 to put on Teffilin. Please bring your own Talit and Teffilin if you have them. If not, we will be happy to loan these items to you for the service. Some families choose to bring customized Kipot (yarmulkas) or Prayer books. This is permissible, but not necessary.

There is no parking in the immediate area near the Kotel. There is some limited parking available on ‘Har Tzion’ near the tomb of King David, but these spots get taken very quickly. Our suggestion is to take a bus or a taxi to the Kotel in order to avoid parking issues. The closest parking lot is at the Mamila mall, which is about a 20 minute walk / taxi ride to the Kotel. There is also parking available at the ‘First Station’ which is also a 20 minute walk / tazi ride to the Kotel but with hills.

Keep in mind that many people throughout Israel, as well as the Diaspora, will also be celebrating at the Kotel, so it might be quite crowded and there is no parking near the Kotel. The stringent security checks upon entering the Western Wall site take time as well. Please bear all these possible delays in mind as you schedule your day. Our suggestion is to eat breakfast before you arrive and take a bus or a taxi to the Kotel in order to avoid parking issues. The closest parking lot is at the Mamila mall, which is about a 20 minute walk / taxi ride to the Kotel. After the service, many families celebrate at a local restaurant or hotel with friends and family. Another option is to take a tour of the old city and or of the Kotel Tunnels. We will be happy to assist you with recommendations of tour guides and restaurant options.

Yes. You can bring refreshments. However, due to the strict security procedures upon entering the Kotel area and due to the tight space, it is recommended to keep it to a minimal. (Maybe some drinks and cake, but not much more). Also, glass bottles (whisky and wine etc.) are not allowed into the Kotel area.

Yes. Many families decide to combine the Bar Mitzvah with a memorable tour of the fascinating Western Wall Tunnels. This tour shows the continuation of the Western Wall, exposed after being covered for over 600 years by houses in the Moslem quarter. This exciting tour is a journey through time that brings to life the archeology and history of the Wall through remnants and interactive models of the Second Temple. It is a moving culmination to a special day, showing our cultural heritage and connection to Jerusalem.

There is a charge for the tour, led by experienced tour guides, and it is suitable for people of all ages. We strongly recommend reserving the tour well in advance, due to its popularity. Please call +972-2-627-1333.

We want to help you in any way we can to create a meaningful and fulfilling experience for you and your son. Please click on the contact us page for all the options in reaching us.