What to wear

For those not familiar with bar mitzvah style: At the morning service, it is appropriate to wear what might be called “Sunday best” or “special occasion” clothes. Tom and Isaac will be wearing suits, as most men will, but it’s also appropriate to wear sports coats or even button down shirts. For women, suits are also appropriate (either pants or skirts), as well as dresses or nice slacks. Our congregation is Reform, which translates to fairly liberal, but people will dress up some because it’s a bar mitzvah, and every year there seems to be fewer and fewer Birkenstock hold-outs.

What’s not appropriate? Wearing your soccer uniform, especially if you just finished your game and you’re all sweaty (seen–and smelled–that before). Or (and yes, we’ve seen this too) a short cutoff jeans mini skirt with a skimpy cotton cami and Ugg boots. Basically, keep in mind respectfulness, a sense of a special event, and the possibility that someone may take your picture afterwards for posterity!

If you’re not Jewish, don’t worry about wearing a kippah (skull cap) or tallit (prayer shawl)–it’s totally optional. Again, since this is a Reform congregation, it’s left to personal choice rather than any dictate.

For the evening party, Isaac wants everyone to feel comfortable. We’ve toyed with descriptors like “dressy casual” or “fancy camp” or “wine county chic” or “snazzy bar-b-que.”  Isaac will be wearing a short sleeve button down with khakis (though he’s lobbying for nice shorts), if that tells you anything.

For both day and evening, come with a layer or wrap.  Both the synagogue and the party site have great patios from which you’ll want to enjoy the view, and both can be a bit windy.

The wisdom of the Simpsons

The Simpsons television show is a family favorite; both Isaac and Anathea can quote from it extensively. It seems to include all things wise and wonderful–and even has something to say about bar mitzvah! Funny, Krusty the Clown doesn’t look Jewish! Here’s an article about the bar mitzvah episode and a link to a hip site that encourages the counting of the omer (an ancient tradition that thanks god for the fruits of the field) by associating the act with all things Simpson. The site also describes a number of Jewish references in the series. Who knew Isaac was studying every time he watched a Simpsons rerun!

Directions

WARNING: Online maps do not show the synagogue location correctly!

Congregation Shomrei Torah (ceremony and lunch): From Highway 101, take Highway 12 (just south of downtown Santa Rosa) towards Sonoma (east) until it comes to a stoplight. Turn right at the light (Farmers Lane). Turn right at second light (Bennett Valley Road). The synagogue is the first driveway on the left (2600 Bennett Valley Road).

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT THE HYATT OR IN RAILROAD SQUARE: The nearest on-ramp to the freeway is closed for repairs. From the front of the Hyatt, turn right on Third Street and go east. Continue on Third Street (you’ll go under 101) through downtown to Brookwood. Turn right. Continue until you go under HIghway 12. Turn left at Bennett Valley Road, and stay in the right lane. Go through the traffic light at Gordon Lane.  As you climb the hill, look for the synagogue driveway on the right.

Legends (dinner and dancing): From Highway 101, take Highway 12 towards Sonoma (east) until it comes to the light at Farmers Lane. Continue straight ahead (you’ll be on Hoen) to Yulupa. Turn right on Yulupa. Once you see the golf course on your left you’ll come to a light at the entrance to Daniel Galvin Park. Turn left. Past the driving range, Legends is the first building on the left.

Hotel update

The RSVP cards have started to arrive–how exciting! We’ve heard from at least one family that our block at the Hyatt is full.  Since reserving through the block saves you $100, we can add rooms if we know for sure you want them, but we have to move fast (remember, it’s high season!) since the hotel has said there are few rooms left. Please call or email us immediately if you want us to add rooms to the block.

Tree of Life

The invitations go into the mail today!

You may wonder why we used a tree as a symbol on them, rather than a more obvious choice like a Torah or a Jewish star.  For us, the tree has several meanings:

To become Bar Mitzvah, Isaac has learned to read from the Torah.  The Torah, the first five books of the bible, is often referred to as etz chayim, “a tree of life to them who hold fast to it.”  The wooden dowels that hold the parchment scroll are also called etz, or tree.

Obviously, trees figure strongly throughout the Torah, starting with the tree in the Garden of Eden.  This isn’t surprising, considering that the ancient Israelites, as a desert people, would have highly valued trees both for their fruit and their shade.

Trees are powerful symbols in and of themselves, and they feature in  common expressions.  It’s easy to find many meanings that are appropriate for Isaac’s bar mitzvah celebration, like the importance of our “family tree,” particularly in sharing this milestone in Isaac’s life, or the fact that Isaac is becoming as “strong as a tree.”

The specific tree image we chose for the invitation is an oak because it reflects the environment around us in Northern California.  We feel blessed to live among such beautiful surroundings–something we’re reminded of every day when we drive to the dentist through the apple orchards, or pass vineyards on our way to the chiropractor, or enjoy a vista of a hillside studded with oaks.

Finally, the image reminds us of our new synagogue itself, which is overlooked by a stunning oak tree.