I haven’t been to a bat mitzvah since my cousin’s ceremony and occasion again in 1987. The occasion was held steps from the Brooklyn Bridge, earlier than the neighborhood got here to be generally known as Dumbo, and I keep in mind it as a sea of off-the-shoulder Laura Ashley attire (wildly subtle in comparison with my woefully inferior puffy-sleeved “white is for infants” alternative for the festivities). There was an epic musical chairs battle. And my first sluggish dance with a boy that resulted in a clumsy kiss simply because the lights went up. Someplace there’s a VHS tape documenting the entire thing in grainy element.
Subsequent week, mentioned cousin and I can be up in Windfall, R.I., celebrating her niece’s bat mitzvah. (Millie can be my “niece” however is technically my second cousin. Confused? Ask me to elucidate a while, and/or the truth that I actually am not Jewish however have Jewish relations!)
I’ve been instructed by dependable sources that the factor to do is give money, in quantities which are divisible by 18 as a result of the Hebrew letters for the phrase chai (that means “life”) are numerically equal to 18.
I’ve additionally been instructed that jewellery is welcome so long as you’re not a shiksa giving a Star of David pendant (famous). Somebody instructed me to take a look at the choices at Fashionable Tribe, and Judaica WebStore reliably has a gazillion positive issues, together with this necklace that acquired the thumbs up from somebody I belief—it spells out the celebrant’s identify in English and Hebrew.
I favored the thought of giving Millie a attraction, and in March I discovered one thing excellent on the JA New York Present: a diamond hamsa set in 24k gold–plated silver. A sacred image of safety that additionally acts as a conduit for good luck, peace, and prosperity appears excellent for my beloved niece, who’s so sensible, form, and beautiful. I’ve a vivid reminiscence of her crawling as much as me when she was 16 or 18 months previous, pointing to the chain I used to be carrying and saying, “Pitty neckiss.” Just some years later, she would steal the present because the flower lady in my marriage ceremony, picture-perfect in her navy-and-white occasion costume.
Under are some extra bat mitzvah jewellery reward concepts that appeared youthful and female, tasteful and traditional. And most are coming in below $200!
Having finished this analysis and surveyed the myriad choices, I feel a bat mitzvah jewellery reward needs to be chosen with the concept that it’s one thing the recipient will put on now however maintain on to endlessly. Even when it’s only a memento, a little bit tarnished possibly, however like youth itself, irreplaceable.
Helena Pearl necklace, $110; at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus
Tin Cup freshwater pearl bracelet in 14k rose gold, $130; Mastoloni
Serena Williams Unstoppable necklace in sterling silver with diamond accent, $190; Zales
Highly effective Lady pendant in sterling silver with pink sapphires, $130; Lady Up Assortment
Piper pendant in 14k gold–plated brass with blue lapis, $60; Kendra Scott
Daisy pendant in 14k gold with white enamel and yellow sapphire, $170 (chain bought individually); The Final Line
Birthstone mini ring necklace in 14k white gold and turquoise, $325; Fox & Bond
Unicorn stud earrings in 14k gold and enamel, $195; Hamilton Jewelers
Opal butterfly studs in 14k gold with white sapphires, $200; Gorjana
Open circle ring in 10k gold with diamond, $198; Stone and Strand
Sideways open coronary heart ring in 14k gold, $210; Zoë Chicco
Diamond preliminary ring in 10k white gold, $137; Kay Jewelers
Wilder alphabet bracelet in 18k gold–plated brass, $48; Gorjana
