Dear Parents,
Mazal Tov! As we enter a milestone school year that promises to be filled with the celebration of many Bar and Bat Mitzvah smachot, we wanted to clarify YCQ’s educational approach for this exciting time. Below you will find the requirements around the scheduling of these celebrations and the festivities themselves that will ensure everyone is included and that everything is done appropriately.
Scheduling a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
The celebration of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an event meant to be enjoyed together with friends and families. YCQ is B’H a large and growing school and it is our hope that every simcha should be attended by all those invited. In order to avoid conflict around the scheduling of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, all families are asked to reserve and confirm their requested date with YCQ before committing to a venue, caterer etc.
Please request your Bar/Bat Mitzvah date by clicking below to fill out a brief form. You will receive an email confirmation that your date has been confirmed and your name will appear on the YCQ Bar Mitzvah Simcha calendar to hold the spot.
1 Check the Bar Mitzvah Simcha calendar to see open dates (See below)
2 Fill out the form linked below to submit your requested dates.
3 After receiving confirmation of your requested date, you will see your name on the calendar and you may proceed to plan your simcha
Celebrating at YCQ
Families may choose to celebrate their child’s Bar Mitzvah here at YCQ at our 8 am minyan during the school week either at your son’s first time wearing Tefilin or his first Aliyah. A donut snack for the grade can be provided for a modest fee. Please contact Ms. Simanowitz at [email protected] to coordinate.
Celebrating Outside of YCQ
When celebrating a Bar/Bat Mitzvah simcha outside of school, please keep in mind the following matters:
1 Invitees – In the spirit of inclusivity, all same gendered grade level students should be invited to all smachot. In the event that it is not possible to invite all classmates, please limit the number of invitees to nine students. This policy is true for Bar/Bat Mitzvah Shabbatot and parties.
2 Kashrut & Culture – Please note that all catering and entertainment must be appropriate for the yeshiva and for all of our families, Rabbi and Morot who want to participate.
- All food must be under a reputable hashgacha, a supervising Kashrut organization.
- The entertainment and environment must be appropriate for all YCQ families by ensuring the music, dress and general atmosphere .
3. Midweek – If celebrating a Bar Mitzvah davening outside of school in the morning in your own shul, parents are asked to limit the number of boys invited to nine to minimize disruption to the school day. Please submit the list of the students attending the Bar Mitzvah two weeks prior to Rabbi Knapp at [email protected]. If celebrating a Bar Mitzvah midweek in the evening, parents are asked to conclude the party by 10 pm to minimize disruptions to learning. Children are expected to arrive at school on time the day after a Bar Mitzvah.
4. Weekend – When celebrating a Bar Mitzvah party over the weekend, please make sure to schedule at least one hour after the conclusion of Shabbat to enable all students to participate and conclude the party by 11 pm to minimize any other disruptions to learning for the upcoming week.
As always, the YCQ team, administration, Rebbeim, and Morot are here to partner with you in this exciting milestone in your son’s life. Please reach out with any questions, concerns or requests relating to the Bar Mitzvah. Looking forward to celebrating together.
Mazal Tov!
Rabbi Mark Landsman Rabbi Stephen Knapp
Head of School Principal, JHS
