Zachary's Bar Mitzvah
Freaking Awesome Celebration
Zachary's Bar Mitzvah
Freaking Awesome Celebration
February 1, 2025
Schedule
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Bar Mitzvah Service
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
20 Academy Road, Caldwell, NJ 07006
Semi-formal/cocktail attire: Gents, suit up! Or make sure your favorite dress slacks & button-down shirt are pressed. Ladies, cocktail dresses are perfect!
Bring on the color, smiling faces and supportive vibes for Zachary.
Pre-Game
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
20 Academy Road, The Social Hall, Caldwell, NJ 07006
After the service and before we head to the celebration, there will be a mini "pre-game" in the social hall at the synagogue for all guests.
There will be a few light bites and drinks (note: it is a cocktail-free zone, so adults save your drinking shoes for 7:30pm), in addition to some entertainment before everyone heads over to the Freaking Awesome Celebration at FPSD.
The Freaking Awesome Celebration
Sat, Feb 1, 2025, 7:30 pm - Sun, Feb 2, 2025, 12:00 am
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Semi-formal/cocktail attire. Rock your snazzy outfit from the service but ditch the heels/dress shoes and switch to sneakers as lawn games & other sporty activities will be abound. Ladies, do you plan on wearing a short dress? Better add some bike shorts underneath to avoid a Britney Spears moment...
Are you not overly Sporty Spice inclined? No sweat! There will be a DJ and dancefloor for you to show off your best moves. GCMS classmates & hockey bros: transportation will be provided from the synagogue to FPSD. Parents: the party will be wrapped by midnight. Come and get your spawn!
RSVP
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FAQs
Question
What is a Bar Mitzvah?
Answer
A bar/bat mitzvah is a rite of passage to celebrate a Jewish boy or girl entering adulthood. Bar = boys, Bat = girls (don't mix it up!). This milestone is typically held around the boy’s thirteenth birthday. Zachary turns 13 on January 15th. Teenager like woah.
Question
What will happen during the service?
Answer
The service will be filled with several things to celebrate Zachary and this next chapter of his life. He will lead the services when he is called up to the Torah to recite prayers and readings in Hebrew. These prayers have taken him years of learning, studying, and practicing during car rides to and from the rink & before countless practices. The acoustics in our kitchen are very impressive. After reading from the Torah, Zachary will share a special speech about what his Torah portion is about and how the lessons can be applied in everyday life. Zachary's parents will also share speeches to honor & gush about him and the special day. Tears will flow. Especially from Zachary's mom. She cries at emotional commercials and can't keep it together. And please silence your phone during the service. Do not be that guy.
Question
What happens after the service?
Answer
After Zachary and his family breathe massive sighs of relief, guests are invited to mingle and tell Zachary how epic of a job he did, and marvel at how a yarmulke stayed on his mohawk. There will be a small "pre-game" event in the social hall with some light snacks and drinks along with entertainment. Buses will be provided to cart fellow GCMS classmates and hockey bros to the celebration. Departure will be a bit before 7pm.
Question
Is the celebration part only for Zachary's friends?
Answer
Um, no Jan. It is for everyone that was invited :) If your name was on the invitation you are one of the favorites and we want to celebrate with you. LFG!
Question
What happens at the celebration?
Answer
AWESOMENESS. Awesomeness happens at the celebration. Bring sneakers, bring your A-game and your Big Stick Energy, bring your best dance moves, bring your smiles and be ready to have a blast.
Hotel & Kiddo Shuttle
Hotel
Archer Hotel Florham Park
While most of you are local(ish) to the Caldwell/Essex County area, we appreciate that some are traveling from a bit farther out and may not want to make the trek back home post-partying. This hotel is only 15 minutes from the Freaking Awesome Celebration and about 25 minutes from the synagogue - and it is pet friendly (<50lbs (sorry, Jasper!)). Hotel block: https://archerhotel.com/florham-park/book/z-mitzvah
Shuttle
Bar Mitzvah Service -> Freaking Awesome Celebration
February 1, 2025 7:00 pm
Buses will be provided to transport Zachary's fellow GCMS classmates & hockey bros from the synagogue to FPSD. Parents if you are not attending, feel free to drop your middle-schooler off at Agudath (tuck & roll optional) and wish them well until midnight. Their level of sweatiness and dishevelment upon return are TBD.
Travel Note
Uber
Do not want to drive? Good call. Luckily Ubers are a plenty. If you don't already have the app (ok, Boomer), give it a download.