Cookbooks

The Ultimate Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Book: A Guide to Inspiring Ceremonies and Joyous Festivities

Clarkson Potter Publishers, 288 pp., $18 (paper)

One would think this book would be the answer to every Jewish parent's prayer, so to speak, and one would be correct! A two-time veteran of this process myself, I can attest to both the joy and the agony of planning such an event. While no book will ever assuage the constant worry of whether the child will ever learn all the required Hebrew, this great little guide will provide moral support and helpful information when addressing every other aspect of the celebration. Beginning with background on the ritual itself, the 288-page handbook addresses a reassuringly wide range of issues, from synagogue customs to the pros and cons of using a professional party planner to who says the kiddush. Just a tiny sampling of topics covered includes invitations, lighting, entertainment, flowers, menus (including some great-sounding recipes), planning tools, and even some sample budgets. So many things to consider ... oy, your head could spin! Where was this book when it was my turn?