Destination Bar Mitzvahs: A 21st Century Twist on An Ancient Tradition

Ten years ago travel maven Ellen Paderson pioneered the concept of destination Bar and Bat Mitzvahs – or Bar Mitzvah cruises and vacations.

The idea for Bar / Bat Mitzvah Vacations (http://barmitzvahvacations.com/) was a natural spinoff from her Smile & Miles Travel( www.smilesandmilestravel.com) Destination Weddings and Honeymoons that she had launched 10 years earlier.

“Back then, travel agents on occasion planned destination bar or bat mitzvahs, but we were the first to aggressively promote them as an alternative to traditional local celebrations,” says Paderson who has orchestrated over 100 of them either in distant locales or aboard cruise ships. About 30% of these clients choose cruises. Both land-based and at-sea events average 30 – 50 guests, and closer trips average 4 to 7 days. Trips to Italy or Israel need about 12 days. She says, “The expense depends on the types of accommodations and what destination they choose. Usually guests pay their own way, though I’ve had hosts who could afford to pay for everyone.”

Besides travel arrangements and lodging, Paderson coordinates caterers, music, a venue, prayer books – even a Torah and a Rabbi to perform the ceremony, either local or flown in. “Making such a milestone religious event even more memorable and meaningful is holding it at a 16th century synagogue in places with surprising Jewish histories such as St. Thomas, San Juan, Curacao, or Costa Rica. My established, local contacts is a major advantage,” she says.

According to Jewish law, at age 13 boys become accountable for their actions and become bar mitzvah (Hebrew for ‘son of the commandment.’) Bar Mitzvah ceremonies have been around since the Middle Ages.

Paderson says the most common destination is, not surprisingly, Israel. But, since many families have been there, they want something different. Other favorites are Costa Rica, Italy, Prague, Aruba, St Thomas, and all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. A client favorite is Calabria, Italy, where a Jewish tour and ceremony are led by Italian-American Rabbi Barbara Aiello. “Everyone is moved during the ceremony held at a 500 year-old synagogue that her family helped to rebuild,” says Paderson.

So why the popularity of faraway celebrations? Paderson gives several reasons:

• People invite close family and friends so it’s more quality time over a longer period rather than a 4-hour party closer to home.
• Having it at home, people feel obligated to invite many people that they may not feel connected to.
• The celebration is more peaceful and much less stressful. “Let someone else sweat the details.”
• It can be less expensive.

· It’s a good option for interfaith families to celebrate in a new way.

· It’s a way for families with children who have learning disabilities to have a meaningful event with less stress.

• If family and friends don’t live close by, they would have to travel anyway.

On a ship, Paderson’s services include arranging pre-cruise online Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutorials with a Rabbi or Cantor. For those preferring a land-based simcha, she has extensive contacts on Caribbean islands so family and friends can spend more time with each other and less time on planning.

Paderson also assist families in selecting a Mitzvah Project at their destination through her unique Bar/Bat Mitzvah Community Service Program. “It’s a chance for the bar or bat mitzvah to see what local human service agencies or schools might need, and to make a donation as a mitzvah (‘good deed.’) – their first charitable act as an official member of the larger community.

Paderson explains why she loves her work: “It’s so gratifying to plan such unique and memorable family events, to help bring families closer, and to know that any child, regardless of their limitations, can have a bar/bat mitzvah and feel accomplished.”

Paderson, a ‘Best of the Best’ industry award winner, is a member of The Affluent Traveler Collection, an elite group of independent travel advisors, and served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Travel Market Report. She has earned numerous travel certifications and designations, and had been featured in numerous media.

For more information, contact Ellen Paderson -- www.smilesandmilestravel.com / 508-238-4088 / ellenp1@comcast.net .

- By Stanley Hurwitz / 508-269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

ATTENTION, Editor: For electronic images, interviews, contact Ellen Paderson directly, or Stan Hurwitz / 508-269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

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