A Bar/Bat-Mizvah is the most significant event for any Jewish child, marking his or her entry into full Jewish Adulthood. It can be done in the local synagogue and venue, yet a Bar-Mitzvah tour to Israel is possibly the best way to celebrate this festive event, connecting the child, and the whole family, to the ancient and modern history of the Jewish People. One of the pick moments of the tour is setting a venue for the ceremony of reading from the Torah and a celebratory meal to follow. Many will choose to set this ceremony at the Western Wall, its less regulated alternative “Azrat Israel“, or at Masada.

But if you are looking for something that is a bit different, or a location that has privacy, A/C, or other specifics, you might want to consider one of the following alternatives:

Bar-Mitzvah at the Southern Wall Archaeological Park

The Southern Wall Archaeological Park, also known as the “Jerusalem Archaeological Park,” is a unique site that emerged from extensive excavations after the Six-Day War in 1967. In 2013, a dedicated park section was established for non-Orthodox style events, including Bar-Mitzvah ceremonies. This section, known as “The Egalitarian Kotel” or, in Hebrew, “Azrat Israel,” offers a distinct and non-conservative setting for your special event.

Nevertheless, a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony can also be held in the archaeological park itself at two locations:

• Under Robinson Arch, facing the Western Wall.
• In front of the Huldah Gates, facing the Southern Wall.

It must follow these rules:

• The desired spot must be reserved in advance.
• The event is not private, and tour groups might pass by during the ceremony.
• No dancing, loud music, or throwing candies is allowed.
• No food or refreshments are allowed as well.

Bar-Mitzvah at “Aish Hatorah” Yeshiva Rooftop

After the Six-Day War in 1967 “Aish Hatorah” Yeshivah purchased a prime property in the Jewish Quarter, facing the Western Wall Plaza. It’s rooftop has possibly the best panoramic view of the Western wall and the Temple Mount, and in one of its corners a model of the Jewish temple from the 1^st century is presented. The rooftop vista is an ideal location for a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony, but costs $29K to rent. There is an option of setting on the terrace below for $11k.

Bar-Mitzvah at the “Hurvah” Synagogue

Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, the “Hurvah” Synagogue is the biggest synagogue in the old city of Jerusalem. Founded in the 18th century, the synagogue witnessed several dramatic historical events. Destroyed by the Jordanians in 1948, the synagogue lay in ruins until 1967 and only partially restored in the 1970s. However, following a generous 2010, the state restored the building to its original glory. It operates as a synagogue and Yeshivah and hosts Bar-Mitzvah events.  An orthodox Ashkenazi style Bar-Mitzvah ceremony can be set in the synagogue in the morning hours during the week, connecting your family event to the local history of the Ashkenazi Jews of Jerusalem.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Four Sepharadic Synagogues

Situated in the southern part of the Jewish Quarter of the Old city, the complex of the Four Sepharadic synagogues attest to the centuries old “Mugrabi” Jewish community of Jerusalem. Any one of them could be set for a Sepharadic style Orthodox Bar-Mitzvah Ceremony, during the week.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Tower of David Museum

The Tower of David Museum was built within the medieval citadel of Jerusalem. Its permanent exhibition presents the history of Jerusalem in 10 different halls. The Tower of David museum offers its halls for Bar-Mitzvah or Bat-Mitzvah venues that can combine the ceremony with a celebratory catering meal and also a private guided tour of the Museum, fun and educational activities for the whole family, and a private screening  of their popular Audio Visual night show (“The Tower of David Night Spectacular“).

Bar-Mitzvah at the Great Sepharadi Synagogue in Yemin Moshe

The Sephardic Synagogue of Yemin Moshe has served its community since its establishment in 1897. In 1948, the neighborhood proved to be in the range of Jordanian snipers from the Old City, and the population abandoned the site. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, the municipality restored the neighborhood and the synagogue. Rededicated in 1974, the synagogue has been operating ever since. The humble stone structure, with its “Old Yishuv” interior design in the picturesque neighborhood, is ideal for a private Bar-Mitzvah event. A celebratory meal at the adjacent Touro restaurant can also follow it. Both face breathtaking views of the Old City Walls and are a short walk from the King David Hotel.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Askenazi “Beit Israel” Synagogue in Yemin Moshe

Founded in 1899 for the Ashkenazi community of Yemin Moshe, the “Beit Israel” Synagogue is in the heart of the neighborhood, next to the Old city of Jerusalem. The stone structure facing the breathtaking view of the old city walls is a perfect setting for a private and intimate Bar-mitzvah venue.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Italian Synagogue on Hillel Street

In 1701, the Jewish community of Conegliano Veneto, a small town 40 miles north of Venice, founded a synagogue. Designed in a distinct Italian Baroque style, the community used it until World War I. Following the establishment of Israel in 1952, the synagogue’s interior was relocated to the Italian Jewish Cultural Center in Jerusalem. To this day, the Italian synagogue is both an active synagogue and a tourist attraction that combines a museum of Italian Judaica. The oldest known Torah Curtain (“Parochet”) is among its items, dating to 1572. Known simply as “The Italian Synagogue,” the place also welcomes families wishing to celebrate a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Ades Synagogue in Nachlaot

Founded in 1901 by two cousins of the Ades family, despite its full name – “The Great Synagogue Ades of the Glorious Aleppo Community” – the synagogue is rather humble in size. Neverthless its outstanding architecture and lavish interior makes Ades Synagogue one of the nicest sunagogues in Jerusalem. The Torah ark is detailed woodwork with mother-of-pearls inlay from Damascus, and its walls are decorated with great murals. Set in hidden like location in the picturesque Nachlaot neighborhood, the Ades Synagogue is a great venue for setting a Sepharadic style Orthodox Bar-Mitzvah ceremony. It is especially an appropriate location if the celebrating family relates to the Syrian Jews.

Bar-Mitzvah at the “Shira Hadasha” Synagogue, The German Colony

“Shira Hadasha” (In Hebrew “New Chanting”) is a Jewish community founded in 2002 in Jerusalem’s German Colony. Being a Non-Orthodox community, the synagogue aimes to achieve gender equality in the its rituals. Here, for example, women also participate in reading the Torah and function as cantors. This format was adapted by some Jewish communities in Israel as well as Canada, Australia and the US. The egalitarian “Shira Hadasha” synagogue, is an excellent choice for an Bat-Mitzvah event set in Orthodox fashion.

Bar-Mitzvah at the Haas Promenade

The Haas promenade is set along a ridge that faces the old city of Jerusalem. A stroll along this promenade provides some great panoramas of the holy city, an ideal view also for a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony. There are no special restrictions on setting the event along the Promenade, but you might be “competing” with tour groups visiting the site. If you prefer, the ceremony can be set in an events hall along the promenade (“Olamya”) which is also a good option for a Celebratory meal following the ceremony.

Bar-Mitzvah at “Beit Hahoshen” Rooftop, Mount of Olives

Another alternative for a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony at the panoramic viewpoint of the Old city is “Beit Hachoshen”. “House of the breastplate” in Hebrew, “Beit Hachoshen” is located on the top of Mount of olives, in Eastern Jerusalem. Its rooftop vista provides one of the best views of the Old City and the Temple Mount, and upon request it can be set for any private event.

Alternative Locations for a Bar-Mitzvah Ceremony aside Jerusalem

If these options are not creative enough, we have a whole additional list of suggested site for a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony at different locations across the country – One of the synagogues in Safed, in Caesarea, at the ancient synagogues of Ein-Gedi, Sepphoris, Umm el-kanatir, Gamla, Bar’am, Capernaum, or Magdala, and more. Click here for the full and detailed review.