Kilted at the Bar Mitzvah party

**Monkey@Arms** · 5th May 07, 05:24 PM

Today we attended a Bar Mitzvah of friends of our family. I wore pants, jacket and tie to the morning services. "What no kilt?" the host said to me at the temple. I replied, that if that was a challenge I'd be more than happy to change for the reception, which was an outdoor celebration to be held later in the day at their house. He basically dared me, which of course is no dare at all where I'm concerned.

Needless to say I was extremely comfortable in my new black UK Workman's and received several compliments and passed out one card to another Dad.

One of the other guests had previously invited my wife and I to attend a performance at blues club in San Francisco tonight, and I had already intended to wear this kilt there. Nevertheless, I was pleased when he suggested on his own that I wear it this evening. I'll let you all know if anything interesting comes up.

Best regards,

Jake

**Oldhiker** · 5th May 07, 07:43 PM

Aye' Vay!

**Arlen** · 6th May 07, 04:37 AM

Fantastic. Glad you had a good time.
There's a high Jewish population next to where I live and more than once I've seen entire Bar Mitzvah parties in kilts. Looks great.

**Niblox** · 6th May 07, 04:39 AM

A pity you weren't kilted.... but cheer up, there's always the next time!

**Niblox** · 6th May 07, 04:46 AM

What I meant to say in the previous post (before I pressed the wrong button) was that it was a pity you weren't kilted for the first part - but you got to the reception in your kilt.

Incidentally, are there dress rules for attending a synagogue? I know men have to wear some sort of headgear, but is it basically business suits? Or can you wear casual / smart clothing?

**Monkey@Arms** · 6th May 07, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Niblox

Incidentally, are there dress rules for attending a synagogue? I know men have to wear some sort of headgear, but is it basically business suits? Or can you wear casual / smart clothing?

I would guess generally its the same as church. No hard and fast rules (at least in America.) You see the range from smart to suit.

Best regards,

Jake

**Mr. MacDougall** · 6th May 07, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Niblox

Incidentally, are there dress rules for attending a synagogue?

It largely depends on the sect of Judaism. In a Reform synagogue, for instance, the 'rules' are much the same as in a Christian Church... look your best for God. If you'd like to visit a synagogue, it would be polite to contact the Rabbi before hand, and ask if there are any particular dress expectations.

**MrAcheson** · 7th May 07, 01:23 PM

Incidentally, are there dress rules for attending a synagogue? I know men have to wear some sort of headgear, but is it basically business suits? Or can you wear casual / smart clothing?

It varies with the synagogue and branch of Judaism. The occassion also plays a role.

My wife is Reform. When we go to services with her parents, I can usually get away with dockers and a button down shirt. I don't even have to wear a yarmulke most of the time. The High Holy Days have a stiffer dress code though and suits or sportcoats are the rule.

Parts of her family are much more Conservative, bordering on Orthodox. When we attended her young cousin's bar mitzvah, it was business suits complete with a yarmulke and tallis (the prayer shawl). Fortunately those were traditionally provided on site.

I told my wife I was going to wear my kilt the next time we were invited to a black-tie optional wedding on her side of the family. She was not amused.