Capturing Kids’ Imaginations When You Teach

According to Jewish law, when Jewish boys reach the age of 13, they become accountable for their actions. This transition into manhood is an important rite of passage for Jewish boys. It is traditional for family members and close family friends to bestow a gift on the boy at the time of the Bar Mitzvah. If you’re stumped for Bar Mitzvah gift ideas, we’re here to help. Our gift guide includes some traditional ideas, as well as some Bar Mitzvah gifts you might not have thought of yourself. Read on to get some gift inspiration. You can also check out our curated gift guides on the , best , and the for additional gift ideas.

1. ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ (Gift Edition)

Books or gifts that represent the Jewish experience are common Bar Mitzvah gifts. Part of becoming an adult is embracing the realities of the world, even when they are harsh. Man’s Search for Meaning by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl is an important work for every Jewish person to read. This dark memoir is about Frankl’s early life in a concentration camp, and his subsequent quest to find meaning in all that suffering. If you are seeking a gift with some gravitas, this book is an excellent choice. This elegant gift edition includes endpapers, supplementary photographs, and several of Frankl’s previously unpublished letters, speeches, and essays.

Price: $17.95 (22 percent off MSRP)

2. Shofar With Shofar Blowing Guide

Looking for a gift that’s a little more fun? A shofar is a wonderful gift idea. The shofar is mentioned frequently in the Talmud and rabbinic literature. This shofar is certified Kosher, and imported from Israel. This shofar comes with a playing guide, as well as a protective bag.

Price: $39.95

3. Chai Pendant for Men

This pendant has the word Chai (Hebrew for “Life”) on it, making it a great gift for a Bar Mitzvah. It comes with a chain that measures nearly 19 inches. Not all teens like wearing jewelry, but for those that do, this Chai pendant is a nice gift option.

Price: $99.99 (38 percent off MSRP)

4. Learn Spanish: Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) – Level 1-5 Set

Academic-related items are a popular gift for a Bar Mitzvah. Dictionaries used to be a relatively common gift, but in the digital age, a dictionary doesn’t seem like the most useful gift. If you want to give a gift with academic merit, consider a set of Rosetta Stone language lessons. Spanish is a great option, since it is being spoken with increasing frequency in the US. Learning a language can give teens an advantage when it comes to high school or college academics, and an even bigger advantage in their careers. .

Price: $229 (54 percent off MSRP)

5. ‘DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Jerusalem, Israel, Petra & Sinai’

Is the family planning a trip to Israel? A travel guide to the Holy Land is a great Bar Mitzvah gift. This DK guide includes general information about Israel, and well as a special focus on Jerusalem, Petra, and Sinai. The book features full-color photographs, 3-D cutaway illustrations, and floor plans of all the must-see sights. This is a simple gift that is ideal for family friends to give as a Bar Mitzvah gift.

Price: $16.56 (34 percent off MSRP)

6. ‘The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe: A Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classic’

Another great gift for academic success is this new edition of Poe tales, designed to increase the reader’s vocab in preparation for the SATs. It’s never too early to start studying for those all-important tests. You can peruse other score-raising titles from Kaplan . You can buy one title, or buy a whole set, depending on your gift-giving budget.

Price: $6.99

7. ‘Codex Judaica’

This fascinating guide to Jewish History outlines over 5,000 years of important events in a year by year format. It’s fun to browse, but it could also be a useful reference book for history papers. The book contains 30 maps and 21 helpful charts, and these visual aids can be especially helpful for younger readers.

Price: $59.95

8. ‘Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its Moods’

Looking for a gift that’s got some humor? This book is a great choice. This hilarious book offers chapters on the Yiddish language as it relates to curse words, food, sex, and even death.

Price: $10.92 (22 percent off MSRP)

9. Stainless Steel Washing Cup with Jerusalem & Western Wall Scene

Used for ritual washing, this stainless steel cup could also be a nice gift for a Bar Mitzvah. The cup is stainless steel, so it will look great over time and not require any polishing. The scene of Jerusalem on the exterior is a nice touch.

Price: $27.99

10. Cash or Gift Cards

Giving money in multiples of $18 is symbolic of giving “chai” or life, so it’s quite common for people to give Bar Mitzvah gifts in the form of cash or gift cards. Common amounts can include $36, $54, or $72, though some big spenders may even give even more if they are particularly close relations. You can give the gift in the form of cash or check, or as a gift card to the boy’s favorite store. An Amazon gift card is a nice option, particularly if you want to encourage the Bar Mitzvah to use the money towards educational expenses like textbooks or study aids.

Heavy, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Our product recommendations are guided solely by our editors. We have no relationship with manufacturers.