In Tight Economy, B'nai Mitzvah Get Back to Basics

The country's fledgling economy is forcing some Jewish families to scale back on bar and bat mitzvah expenses. (photo: TheJewishAdvocate.com)

The following article is from TheJewishAdvocate.com.

Party planners offering budget-friendly options

A lavish bar or bat mitzvah was commonplace before the economic crisis. But as Jewish families tighten their budgets, over-the-top celebrations are being scaled back.

"The parties aren't as extravagant as they were years ago," said Amy Zediana, director of operations for Perfect Parties USA, a Peabody-based company that coordinates b'nai mitzvah.

"People are sticking to one piece of entertainment and not going as overboard with their choices at each party. I used to see $100,000-[b'nai] mitzvah every week, but now it's once a month or every other month."

Beyond the necessities, no part of the b'nai mitzvah is safe from cutbacks. Event entertainment, showy decorations, dining options and even venues have been adjusted to fit slimmer times.

Cost-friendly synagogues are still performing a steady number of b'nai mitzvah rituals, but event halls, restaurants and other more expensive venues are feeling the crunch.

"The religious end, where we are, is not where all the cost is," said Alan Bell, executive director of Temple Emunah in Lexington.

Most b'nai mitvah planning is carried out up to a year in advance, so many companies that plan the events are only now beginning to feel an impact.

Russ Burman and Robert Weiner are the cofounders of R&R Productions in Canton, Mass. The majority of the events the company currently plans are b'nai mitzvah. But Burman has had to adjust to make the company's services accessible to those with smaller party-planning budgets.

"Customers aren't necessarily going with as many of the frills," Burman said. "If they are going with the frills, they're spending more money on entertainment and less money elsewhere. I think we're seeing a trend where customers are being more selective and more specific."

For Joey Baron, a member of Temple Aliyah in Needham, Mass., his children's b'nai mitzvah could not have come any sooner. Baron held a bar mitzvah for his son two years ago, and recently had a bat mitzvah for his daughter in June. With his wife Debi, the two planned their past events without any overt cutbacks. But Baron said that were they to plan the events in today's economy, their budget would be reduced by as much as 30 percent.

"For my daughter, if it were to happen now, we probably would do it at our temple versus renting a facility," he said. "And in talking to people at my temple, it's clear that lots of people are doing more kid-focused parties and less family celebrations."

But the return to more traditional b'nai mitzvah is not necessarily a bad thing, according to Burman. By reducing the frivolity, families are redirecting the focus to the religious elements of this ancient rite of passage.

"With the economic downturn, customers are looking at what a [b'nai] mitzvah is really about," Burman said. "Now, it's not about outdoing the next person. It's a religious celebration and there should be some level of wraparound of the religious components of the bar and bat mitzvah."

source: TheJewishAdvocate.com

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