The Kotel (Western Wall) is the last remnant of the Temple Mount and the premier spot for both local and international b'nei mitzvah gearing up for this important rite of passage. Traditional b’nei mitzvah at the Kotel will meet with little incident and can expect to freely conduct a male-only bar mitzvah service in the Men’s Plaza at the Western Wall without disturbance. Remember, the Kotel prayer space separates men and women with a dividing wall, so mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters may have to stand on their tiptoes to get a good view of the action.

Many Diaspora families are thrown for loop when they realize their daughter cannot perform a bat mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel (Western Wall). Currently, Israeli law forbids women to hold religious ceremonies in the Women’s Plaza of the Western Wall. The restrictions prohibit women from reading from the Torah, wearing prayer shawls, or blowing the shofar in deference to Orthodox worshipers. The Women of the Wall organization, a multi-denominational group of religious-activist women, is one of the primary organizations fighting to loosen these laws. You can read more about Women of the Wall here. While the Kotel may introduce complications for liberal denominations, there are other solutions for the b’nei mitvah looking to celebrate this special event in Jerusalem. For the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist family that wishes to celebrate without gender separation, I recommend the following:

• Robinson's Arch - Ezrat Yisrael (which is open and free)


• Robinson's Arch - Jerusalem Archaeological Park/Davidson Center (admission charged for all ceremonies conducted after 9:00 am)

Robinson's Arch is a continuation of the Western Wall (and closer to the Dung Gate) although not in the main plaza. Ezrat Yisrael and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Davidson Center) are adjacent and both overlook Robinson's Arch. In practice, most people use all these terms interchangeably: Ezrat Yisrael, Robinson’s Arch, the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Davidson Center) and the Masorti Kotel.

So, Where Should You Hold The Ceremony?

You can hold your bar or bat mitzvah for free either at Ezrat Yisrael or the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Davidson Center) before 9 AM (ceremony starting around 7:30). If you want to have your ceremony after 9 AM, I still think it is worth the entrance fee to the Archaeological Park (Davidson Center) which includes the Herodian Street which is an especially beautiful location. In order to make sure there is both space and an available Torah scroll at either of these locations, you must book in advance through the Masorti Movement or Rabbi Sandra Kochman at kotel@masorti.org.il. My advice is to contact the Masorti Movement directly for the latest policy updates since they administer this area.

Who Should Officiate?

While you are free to choose your own officiant, I happen to know two excellent ones who hail from Judaism's liberal denominations and are themselves intimately familiar with the layout and protocols of the Western Wall when it comes to egalitarian ceremonies (as well as other popular ceremony locations).

Both Rabbis will make sure that your learning is in sync with the Torah reading schedule for the big day, help you customize a meaningful ceremony, and ensure that your selected location is available.

Just inside of Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, layers of the city's history come together in this beautiful location where you can hold a private bar or bat mitzvah in the historic courtyard and gardens of Jerusalem`s 2000+ year-old Citadel. For more information, click here.

Masada has been a symbol of the perseverance of Jewish peoplehood since 70 CE when hundreds of Jewish refugees escaped from Jerusalem to the fortress-palace atop Mount Masada overlooking the Dead Sea. The rebels lived on Masada for three years until the Romans successfully besieged the fort in 73 C.E. when they found that the residents had taken their own lives rather than submit to foreign rule. Read more about planning an event at the dramatic heights of Masada here.

Travel beneath the walls of the Old City to the Western Wall Tunnels, a popular bar mitzvah location since it was excavated in one of Israel's greatest archaeological triumphs almost 30 years ago. The galleries of the Western Wall tunnels hint at the enormity of the Second Temple and allow visitors to get as close as possible to the ruined Temple's Holy of Holies. Like the Western Wall, the ceremonies permitted in this venue are Orthodox, and gender separation rules apply. For more information about this location, click here.