Arranging a bar mitzvah in Israel can be challenging because there is much to consider. Accommodations, transportation, activities, a ceremony, a celebratory meal, and more. Our full review of a Bar-Mitzvah in Israel describes an in-depth look into the process for a successful event. However, here are our top 8 recommended activities to incorparate in the tour:

1. Set a Bar-Mitzvah Ceremony

Many consider a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall the ultimate way to celebrate their child’s event and for a good reason. The Western Wall is the closest and most tangible remnant of the Jewish Temple. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE but is still a central focal point in Jewish history, religion, and culture. The ceremony must be pre-set with the Western Wall foundation and is restricted as it can only be done orthodoxly. For those wishing for a ceremony with no separation between men and women, especially if it’s a Bat-Mitzvah, the ceremony can be held at an alternative space nearby. Azrat Israel is a plaza facing the Western Wall within the Southern Wall Archaeological Park. There are other alternative locations across Israel to conduct the ceremony as well.

2. Tour the City of David and the Jewish Quarter

The best way to experience maximum appreciation for Jewish history in Israel and Jerusalem is to set a tour of the City of David, where the oldest remains of Jerusalem can be seen. This includes the findings of the prophet Jeremiah and King David.  We can combine the tour with a walk along the dark and wet Hezekiah’s tunnel and the Herodian drainage channel to make the tour more adventurous. The drainage Channel will also lead you into the Southern Wall Archaeological Park, Davidson Center, the Western Wall, and the Jewish Quarter. Here, you can continue exploring and learning about the history of the Jews in Roman times, the Middle Ages, and the modern era.

3. Reach Masada

There are many ancient sites across Israel that represent the history of the Jewish people in the Holy Land. However, none of them seem to be equal to Masada.Originally turned into a fortified desert fortress some 2,000 years ago by King Herod, the Jewish refugees later clinged to their freedom fleeing from the Romans. Tragically, the Romans conqured the site and according to Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, most of the Jews favored suiciadal death to Roman slavery. Excavated mostly in the 1960’s, Masada yielded a wealth of finds related to this famous and tragic story, including one or possibly two synagogues. Aside from a tour of the site, it is also possible to set a Bar-Mitzvah event in one of the synagogues, or possibly meet a Torah scribe and have him write a word in a torah scroll, in honor of your child’s Bar-Mitzvah.

4. Explore the Jewish Heritage of the Galilee

The Galilee mountain ridge in northern Israel has many beautiful spots and significant historical sites. Suppose you are on a Bar-Mitzvah tour of Israel. In that case, it is highly recommended to devote at least one day to Galilee and visit sites related to the formation of Rabbinical Judaism. Magdala and Gamla are great sites to learn about Judaism during the Second Temple and their tragic fate due to the Jewish revolt against the Romans. Beth-Shearim and Sepphoris are good locations to learn about Rabbi Judah and the formation of the Mishnah. Capernaum and Tiberias are fascinating locations to learn about the formation of the Talmud and the interrelationship with Christianity in the Holy Land in the Byzantine period. Finally, Safed is an excellent spot to learn about the mystical form of Judaism called Kabbalah.

5. Visit The Independence Hall in Tel-Aviv

A Bar-Mitzvah tour of Israel is incomplete without visiting a few sites related to the Zionist movement and the formation of the state of Israel. The 1948 Secret Bullet Factory, whose code was “Machon Ayalon,” is quite famous. Another great and educational experience is a drive along the 1948 “Burma Road” and learning about the battles to clear the road to Jerusalem for Jewish convoys. But perhaps the most moving experience was joining a tour at the “Independence Hall,” where on May 14th, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the state of Israel. This was an act that led to a critical war of the Jews in Israel against all its neighboring Arab countries and, at all odds, managed to create the State of Israel.

6. Buy a Talith and a Tefilin Set

Once a girl turns 12 or a boy turns 13, the child is considered an adult by Jewish religious law and should be using a Tefilin set during the morning prayer (“Shacharit”). In some communities, wearing a Talith during prayers begins at Bar/Bat-Mitzvah. If you are doing a Bar-Mitzvah tour to Israel, it seems natural to buy the set in one of the Judaic shops spread throughout Jerusalem or Safed. Some workshops even offer hand-woven lithos that can be custom designed with specific combinations of colors and ornamentations.

7. Set Extreme Activities

A Bar-Mitzvah tour to Israel indeed has a clear educational purpose. However, it doesn’t mean it can’t be combined with some fun! An ATV tour by the Syrian border in the Golan Heights, Kayaking on the Jordan River, or a speed boat ride facing the walls of ancient Akko are just some of the many extreme activities that can be set on the tour.

8. Participate in Charity Activities

To make the Bar-Mitzvah tour most significant, we recommend combining it with an act of charity, supporting people with low incomes and those in need in Israel. One option is giving a hand in picking fruits and vegetables for needy people (“leket“). You can also visit and buy a “Yad Lakashish” (“Lifeline for the elderly”) in Jerusalem, where your purchases support Israeli veterans. Lastly, you can keep a needy family by helping them give their child a Bar-Mitzvah party. There are many more options, and it’s more meaningful when you think outside the box!