What are the elements of a Reformed Bar Mitzvah ceremony?

Answer by  altos (224)

Today, and I suppose especially among non-ultra Orthodox movements, like the Reform movement, a big party has become a key element to a boy's bar mitzvah.

Answer by  shalom (271)

At some reform synagogues, the amount of reading and speaking by the bar mitzvah boy is less than traditional and ultra Orthodox ceremonies. The bar mitzvah boy might read the entire Torah portion, or he might read the Haftorah. Even less, the bar mitzvah boy might just get an aliyah.

Answer by  benicio (257)

They are basically the same as a bat mitzvah. They vary among synagogues -- no two Reform temples are the same. The very basic elements are aliyah, and tefilin for boys -- though in today's age of equality, a girl might don the tefillin too.

Answer by  greysquirrel (239)

The two main elements in a Reform Bar Mitzvah (but it's also the case in other movements) are: putting on the tefillin (phylacteries), and making aliyah to the Torah (a great honor and mitzvah).

Answer by  SallyJ (1010)

The Reform movement at one time tried to replace the usual Bar Mitzvah with a confirmation ceremony at around 16 or 18. However the tradition of the Bar Mitzvah was very popular, and they returned to the usual age of 13. The most important elements of any Bar Mitzvah ceremony are family and community.