Friends

If your teen considers someone a friend, they should make the list. It is his/her party after all! Draw the line at acquaintances, those who your child likes but doesn’t socialize with outside of a school/club, etc. But, if your teen wants to invite members of a sports team, camp cabin or performing troupe, the entire group should receive an invitation. You wouldn’t want hurt feelings to arise over one or two kids being left out.  If their friends are traveling from out of town but you don’t know the parents, do not feel obligated to invite them. You can offer to assist with accommodations and transportation (in town) for the friend if the family needs help.

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When it comes to your adult and family friends, invite the people who are important to you right now. Forget the guilt factor, otherwise you’ll be inviting everyone you’ve ever met! If you’re on the fence about a guest, you may decide to “test the guest” and only invite ones who know the bar mitzvah child. If your teen has no clue who it is and a quick reminder doesn’t help, perhaps the guest should be cut.  Remember, you DO NOT have to invite an entire family when all you want to do is invite the parents (or the one child that is friends with your child). It is perfectly acceptable to address an invitation to only the family members who you want to have in attendance.

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Your parents (the grandparents) may want to invite several friends to share in the Simcha. While having too many grandparent friends changes the celebration atmosphere, a good compromise would be to offer them one table for their closest peers.

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Final word on the friends front: Just because you like someone doesn’t mean they should receive an invitation. You can’t invite everyone!

Clergy & Tutors

Hopefully you have a relationship with your rabbi and cantor, in which case an invitation is a gesture of appreciation for their spiritual guidance. Most clergy don’t attend the celebration, however, because if they come to one, they would need to attend them all. Tutors who help prepare your Mitzvah child for Torah reading often form strong bonds with their pupils. If your child feels a connection, send an invitation to the service even though they may also be members of your synagogue.

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VIP Adults

Tennis instructors, piano teachers, sports coaches, nannies… they all have connections to your teen. But they shouldn’t all be on the list. Open a dialogue with your child to confirm who they truly consider important. And then take it step further: does he want to see Coach Ken on the dance floor next to Aunt Deborah? If the answer is “yes,” and your budget and venue space allow, invite him. If the relationship is close, but not cry-during-the-montage close, consider a compromise: invite favorite teachers, coaches, and sitters to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service and luncheon, but not to the formal celebration. However, if the party immediately follows the service, note that the invitation must be all or nothing.

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Work Colleagues

You may feel obligated to entertain co-workers at your big event, but do they belong there? Consider whether you socialize with these people outside of the office and, if so, do they know your child well enough to be part of this special day. If the answer to these questions is “no,” they shouldn’t be on the list.

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Listen to your teen and your gut when making final decisions on guest list inclusion. And remember, just because you like me doesn’t mean you should invite me! I’ll understand, and so will friends and acquaintances.