Bar Mitzvah gift for Reform/Conservative kid. Help!

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Forum -> Relationships -> Giving Gifts

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amother

Tue, May 11 2010, 5:31 am

I need a Bar Mitzvah gift for a boy who comes from a Reform/Conservative type of family. I don't want to just give cash. I would like it to be meaningful, but at the same time not shoving religion down his throat in an obvious way. Any ideas?

suomynona

Tue, May 11 2010, 6:06 am

I recently bought this for someone's bar mitzva

http://www.eichlers.com/Produc......html

Mrs Bissli

Tue, May 11 2010, 7:39 am

I also like the general jewish history/timeline book.

Also Book of Jewish Literacy (published a few years ago) is age-appropriate, good general jewish knowledge without getting too preachy.

Hashemlovesme

Tue, May 11 2010, 8:50 am

might sound lame but a photo album of sorts (they have some fance ones).

Hashemlovesme

Tue, May 11 2010, 8:52 am

if it was a girl I'd say jewelry, that's what my mo bought for my cousin's "bar mitsvah".

skcomputer

Tue, May 11 2010, 8:56 am

We had a situation like this and we bought a really big curly shofar with a stand and we also got a book about shofrot. According to the Bar Mitzvah boy's father (who was my boss), he really liked it and enjoyed trying to get it to sound right.

manhattanmom

Mon, May 24 2010, 8:10 pm

Chances are--if the family is at least traditional someone in their circles will get a becher or other basic Judaic item with his name on it.
In this circumstance, I've bought nice coffee-table type picture history books.
One cousin of mine was taking a bar mitzvah trip to Israel with his parents so I bought him a nice book with pictures and maps of Israel.

amother

Mon, May 24 2010, 11:32 pm

These are gifts that my family's sons who are not Orthodox got and loved:

Many Reform congregations are now encouraging tallitot; boys/men in Conservative synagogies (obviously) wear them, so a really nice tallit bag is a good gift. Tzedakah box, Chanukiyah, Israeli jewelry (easier for girls but depends on what you want to spend--cuff links with Roman glass or old coins? my bil LOVES his.)
Really nice mezuzah. Masculine Chai or magen david and chain (silver is fine). For Conservative synagogue, besamim set. a nice Kos Eliyahu (and a note saying that's what ot is so he knows it's not "just" a kiddush cup).

It'snice that you're being so thoughtful.

mamacita

Wed, May 26 2010, 12:43 am

some ideas I've used in the past:

A kippah with their name in hebrew

An IDF sweatshirt/shirt

A theme menorah with something they love (sports, music, etc)

If you could find out what music they like and get a Jewish group that is the same style

emama

Sun, May 30 2010, 11:43 pm

A Chanukiyah. Chanukah is widely celebrated. Give the boy is own chanukiyah.

morah

Mon, May 31 2010, 12:19 am

I have some cousins who are Reform. For the last occasion, we got a Jewish history book. It's a nice idea because you give them a little something to help him/her understand our heritage without getting all kiruv-y and trying to shove religion into their lives (remember, you're viewed as the weirdo frummy relative). If we're talking about a kid who won't appreciate a book, then go with a nice piece of Judaica, like a kiddush cup or a tzedakkah box.

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