Where to begin
A bar or bat mitzvah marks a young person’s responsibility for mitzvot. A Jewish boy reaches bar mitzvah on his 13th Hebrew birthday; a Jewish girl reaches bat mitzvah on her 12th. The milestone is not dependent on holding a party. Confirm the Hebrew date with your rabbi and build preparation around the child’s learning needs.
Prepare for Jewish adulthood
For a boy, ask about tefillin, prayer, an aliyah and Torah-reading preparation where appropriate. For a girl, arrange Torah learning and a meaningful bat mitzvah program with a teacher or rebbetzin. Both can prepare a Torah thought, choose a tzedakah project and learn practical mitzvot for everyday life.
Plan the celebration
Set a budget and guest estimate before booking a venue. Confirm event-specific kosher catering, accessibility and timing with the congregation and suppliers.
Make it personal
Discuss music, photography, invitations, kippot, gifts and a meaningful community activity. Check child-safety arrangements and who supervises children throughout the event.
Jewish practice & meaning
Preparing for a bar mitzvah
Preparation can include learning to put on tefillin before the bar mitzvah and studying a maamar, a Chassidic discourse, to share at the milestone. Ask your rabbi or teacher for the appropriate schedule and text.
A meaningful bat mitzvah
Give the learning as much attention as the celebration. A Torah presentation, acts of kindness and a personal commitment to mitzvot can make the occasion meaningful. Choose a program suited to her understanding and interests, with guidance from her teacher.
Read more on Chabad.org
These introductions draw on the Chabad.org resources below. For guidance in your circumstances, speak with your rabbi.
- Why Are Bar and Bat Mitzvah at 13 and 12? ↗
- Bar Mitzvah Customs ↗
- Bat Mitzvah: What It Is and How to Celebrate ↗
Source links are for further learning; they do not imply Chabad.org endorses this directory or its providers.
Rabbis & ceremony guidance
Contact a rabbi about halachic requirements, your family’s customs and preparation. A congregation listing does not confirm an individual rabbi’s availability.
Bet Yosef (The Caro Synagogue)
A Sephardi congregation in Bondi, also known as the Caro Synagogue and Beth Yoseph.
View detailsBINA
A Jewish learning and community centre in North Bondi offering prayer services and Jewish education.
View detailsBondi Mizrachi Synagogue
A Bondi Jewish congregation offering regular services, learning and community activities.
View detailsBondi Shule
A Bondi congregation offering a recurring Friday-night service at COA in Bondi Junction.
View detailsCBDChabad Sydney
A Jewish community hub serving Sydney’s city and inner east, with Shabbat gatherings, learning and community activities.
View detailsChabad Double Bay
A Chabad congregation in Double Bay with weekday and Shabbat services, Jewish education and community celebrations.
View detailsChabad House Rose Bay
A Rose Bay Chabad community offering services and Jewish activities for locals and visitors, including Israeli travellers.
View detailsChabad North Shore
A Chabad congregation in St Ives offering synagogue services, Jewish learning, family activities and community support across the North Shore.
View detailsChabad NSW — Llandaff minyan
A Chabad NSW congregation in Bondi Junction offering weekday and Shabbat services.
View detailsChabad of Bondi
A Chabad congregation and community centre in Bondi Beach offering synagogue services, Jewish learning and support for Jewish life.
View detailsCoogee Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Coogee offering regular services and community activities.
View detailsCremorne Synagogue
A Jewish congregation serving Neutral Bay, Cremorne and the surrounding Lower North Shore.
View detailsDover Heights Shule
A Chabad congregation in Dover Heights providing weekday, Shabbat and festival services and community activities.
View detailsJewish Learning Centre (JLC)
A North Bondi Jewish centre offering congregational services alongside Jewish learning and community activities.
View detailsKehillat Kadimah
A Jewish congregation in Rose Bay offering synagogue services, learning and community activities at the former South Head Synagogue site.
View detailsKehillat Masada
A Jewish congregation in St Ives offering religious services, Jewish learning and community support on the Masada campus.
View detailsKehillat Moriah — Hugo Lowy Synagogue
A community congregation based at Moriah College’s Hugo Lowy Synagogue, offering services and Jewish community activities.
View detailsMaroubra Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Maroubra offering synagogue services, Jewish learning and community activities.
View detailsNefesh Synagogue & Community Centre
A Bondi Beach synagogue and community centre offering services, Jewish learning and community programs.
View detailsNewtown Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Newtown offering regular Shabbat services and community activities for the Inner West.
View detailsOr Chadash
A Jewish congregation meeting at Academy BJE in Bondi Beach for services and community life.
View detailsParramatta & District Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Parramatta serving families and individuals across Western Sydney with regular services and community activities.
View detailsSouthern Sydney Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Allawah serving the St George and Sutherland areas.
View detailsThe Central Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Bondi Junction offering regular services, Jewish learning and community activities.
View detailsThe Great Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in central Sydney with regular services, Jewish learning, pastoral support and community events.
View detailsThe North Shore Synagogue
A Jewish congregation in Lindfield with regular services and activities for the Jewish community.
View detailsThe Sephardi Synagogue
A Sephardi congregation in Woollahra offering daily prayer, Shabbat and festival services, Jewish learning and community gatherings.
View detailsThe Soul Centre — Chabad Randwick
A Randwick Chabad community offering Shabbat services, Jewish learning and community programs.
View detailsTzemach Tzedek Community Centre
A Chabad congregation in Bondi, with prayer services and Jewish learning.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Kosher catering
Confirm the certifier, menu, kitchen, supervision and event date directly. A venue allowing an outside caterer is not itself certified kosher.
Mila’s Kosher Catering
A Bondi-based kosher caterer providing menus for private celebrations and events.
View detailsRimon Catering
A Kashrut Authority (KA)-certified Waverley caterer offering event menus and Kiddush catering.
View detailsSoul Gourmet
A kosher caterer offering prepared meals, Shabbat boxes and event catering with Sydney delivery.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Venues
Ask about capacity, accessibility, cancellation terms, catering access and any ceremony requirements.
lyf Bondi Junction Sydney — event enquiries
Bondi Junction hotel with spaces available for special occasions and events. Ask about capacity and outside kosher catering arrangements before booking; this is a venue listing, not a kosher catering listing.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Photography & video
Discuss ceremony etiquette, privacy, image sharing and the moments you would like covered.
Darian Krost Films
Sydney video production for brands and events. Current services focus on commercial filming; ask Darian directly about coverage for a family celebration.
View detailsEl Earl Photography
Sydney photography by El and Travis for weddings, families, newborns and events. Enquire directly about your celebration.
View detailsGazzarazzi Photography — Gary Friedland
Sydney photography for weddings, events and portraits by Gary Friedland. Enquire about coverage for your occasion.
View detailsMichael Gara Photography & Photo Booths
Event photography and photo booth hire for Sydney bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
View detailsNadine Saacks Photography
Sydney photography for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, babies, families and celebrations. Contact Nadine to discuss coverage.
View detailsOfer Levy Photography
Sydney photography for bar mitzvahs and celebrations. Visit Ofer’s photography website to enquire about coverage and availability.
View detailsRapid Print Photobooth
Sydney photobooth hire for weddings, parties and events. Ask about the booth setup, photo delivery and availability.
View detailsShoot and Share — Max Katz
Sydney photography for events, families and portraits. Contact Max to discuss your occasion and the coverage you need.
View detailsTaylor Burton Weddings
Sydney-based wedding photography and videography. Contact the team to discuss coverage, availability and travel arrangements.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Music & entertainment
Check age suitability, repertoire, sound restrictions and timing with each supplier.
DJ Tiny Dancer — Unleashed Creations
DJ entertainment by Liorah Ayalon. Contact her to discuss music, timing and arrangements for your celebration.
View detailsSabbaba DJ band
DJ band for celebrations, including weddings. The linked professional profile identifies performer David Kless; it is not a direct booking page.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Party planners, flowers & invitations
Browse each listing’s actual services. Confirm Hebrew text, setup, delivery and any personalised work before ordering.
Dragonfly Floral Design
Sydney flowers and styling for weddings and events. Discuss floral designs, setup and hire options with the studio.
View detailsHair by Greshan
Edgecliff hairdresser offering cuts, colouring, blow-dries and event styling. Call the salon to discuss appointments and celebration styling.
View detailsKate Franklin Makeup
Makeup Artists services or information for Eastern Suburbs / mobile. Contact the provider for current services and availability.
View detailsPure Invites
Invitation and stationery supplier for weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Enquiries and orders are online/postal; no shop collection is offered.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
Judaica & gifts
Ask about kippot, gifts and ritual items; stock and custom services vary.
Kippot World — online supplier
Overseas online supplier of kippot, challah covers and Judaica gifts, including custom orders. Confirm delivery to Australia, production time and shipping costs before ordering.
View detailsDirectory starting points; confirm the specific service with each organisation.
More to ask about
We are checking further services. These are planning prompts, not provider recommendations.
- Hebrew and Torah-reading teachers
- Bar and bat mitzvah preparation programs
- Personalised kippot suppliers
Your rabbi can guide your family on Jewish practice and the customs that apply to you.