Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel
432 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ
Orange Lawn Tennis Club
305 N Ridgewood Road
South Orange, NJ
Guests are welcome to book within our room block at the Hilton Short Hills (which is about 15 minutes from both the temple and the party venue). Rooms must be reserved by November 14, 2024.
41 John F Kennedy Pkwy
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(Party FAQs below)
I've never been to a Bat Mitzvah before. What should I know?
Mazel tov on attending your first mitzvah! In short, a bat mitzvah (for girls, or “bar mitzvah” for boys) is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony. Mia will be helping to lead the service. She will read from the torah, and recite several prayers. She has written a speech to talk through her torah portion, her mitzvah project, and what she has learned through the whole process. Here's a helpful guide with some of the basics to know.
What time should I arrive?
You can arrive as early as 10am (the service formally starts at 10:15), but it's totally okay if you arrive late! Whatever time you arrive, please be quiet and respectful as you enter and find a seat.
What is expected of me?
Guests should keep their phones off during the service (no texting, no gaming, no photos). When the congregation stands, you should stand. When they sit, you should sit. Feel free to read along, and join in as much as you'd like. It's respectful to participate in the service as much as you feel comfortable doing so.
Mia will be excited to see each of you in the audience! But please be quiet and respectful so you don't create any distractions.
What should I wear?
A modest dress or suit / slacks is appropriate. Shoulders should be covered (for sleeveless tops, simply add a shawl or cardigan). Boys often wear a yarmulke (pronounced like “ya-ma-ka”) on their head. You don't need to bring one; they'll be provided at the door.
Can I attend the service, even if only my child's name was on the invite?
Absolutely! Everyone is welcome at the morning service.
How long is the service?
The service lasts between 1.5–2 hours. If you aren't attending the service with your child, please walk them into the temple when you drop them off so they understand where to go. You should return around 11:45 to pick them up.
Where should I park?
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel has a large parking lot behind the building, with plenty of parking spaces.
Unfortunately I cannot attend the service. Is there a livestream?
Yes! Please visit TSTI's livestream site that morning. (password: 1818)
I can't attend the morning service, but I can attend the evening party. Is that okay?
Of course! (And same for vice-versa.) If you're only able to attend one of the events that day, please just indicate which one in the "notes" field when you submit your RSVP.
What should I expect at the party?
Be prepared to have a blast! There will be lots of food and fun, with dinner, drinks, DJs and dancing.
How long is the party?
The party kicks off at 7:00 pm (please arrive on time — you don't want to miss any of the fun!), and ends at 11:00 pm.
What should I wear?
Dress to impress! Come in cocktail / party attire. No jeans or sweatpants. (Pro tip: even with fancier clothes, kids usually wear sneakers, as there will be lots of dancing.)
Only my child's name was on the invite. Can I also attend?
Unfortunately, no. Our evening party can only accommodate those whose names were on the invite. But don't worry! There will be lots of adult supervision — from party motivators to professional hired security — to ensure everyone has a good time.
Where should I park?
Orange Lawn Tennis Club has both a parking lot and valet parking.
What kind of gift should I bring?
Mitzvah gifts can vary. Here are some tips. (Typically guests drop off their gift at the evening party, not the morning service.)
Looking for things to do between events, or while you're in town? Here are a few recommendations:
The Able Baker (coffee & baked goods)
Artie's (pizza & pasta)
Miti Miti (latin street food)
Jackie & Sons (breakfast / lunch)
Words Bookstore
Perch Home
Maplewood Mercantile
Meus
SOMA General Store
Short Hills Mall
Handmade Holiday Shop (Sunday only)
