Although there are nearly 6 million Jews in the United States, many aren't affiliated with congregations. Some youngsters have not had the formal Hebrew education required here for a bar mitzvah, rabbis explain. On the other hand, participation in the simpler Israeli ceremony takes little preparation. Well-known bar mitzvah tour leader Tova Gilead, an Israeli who met her American husband when she was leading a bar mitzvah tour, recalled one intermarried family who brought along the Christian relatives. Other families, she noted, simply prefer the trip to a lavish party.
Some lucky youngsters have generous grandparents who foot the bill.
Margolis added that he and his wife have since promised their younger grandchildren similar trips. Schnall, meanwhile, knows that her next-oldest son is disappointed the entire family can't repeat the Israel tour for his upcoming bar mitzvah. Prices typically drop during the Christmas holidays and rise in the spring. Ask about a free trip for the bar mitzvah child and substantial discounts for other children. The packages include tours, transportation, hotels and most meals.