Saving Money -- Value Added Tax
When planning an event overseas, cost concerns can always creep into the picture. Luckily, Liza Even-Israel of Events by Liza has some great advice on how to save money by either avoiding Israel's value added tax or getting a tax refund on certain purchases. "Many tourists are unaware of the various opportunities for VAT free or Vat reimbursements available when planning their events," Liza says. "Being that VAT in Israel is at 17% , this can account for big savings. "First of all, it is important to know that if you are staying at a hotel and holding your event at the same hotel, you will not pay VAT for any of your non-Israeli guests staying at the hotel. Furthermore, if you are purchasing certain goods for your event in Israel and you are not an Israeli citizen, you will also be entitled to a VAT refund at the airport. For example, I coordinated a wedding for a couple coming from the States. They wanted an Israeli-made Ketubah from a certain artist. The artist supplied them with a special VAT refund receipt which they presented to the authorities at the airport and were reimbursed for the VAT."
Photography & Video
If you're going through all the trouble of having all this celebration, then you're definitely going to want to capture those beautiful memories with photos that do them justice. Unfortunately, history is littered with amazing events with disappointing photos, so it's important to think long and hard about your photographer. Barak Aharon of Barak Photography is an Israeli photographer who is well-known on the events scene and has also had his photos published in numerous newspapers. He has some advice:
Finding the right photographer
"Naturally, not every bar or bat mitzvah is the same; locations, guests, and circumstances vary widely," Barak says. "However, if you have looked at the photographer’s portfolio, and the pictures seem like the kind of thing you would be happy to see on your wall at home, then that’s a match. "Also, keep in mind that your photographer is going to be present on an important and intimate day in your life – feel free to give your photographer a call in order to get to know the person who will be documenting the big day. Equally important is to take a look at what others have said about working with your potential photographer (Is s/he prompt and prepared? Was the work delivered on time? What was it like to effectively invite this person into a family event?); a transparent business will provide reviews through a third party service like Google Plus, TrustPilot, or others."
The challenges
"For people coming from abroad, the process of planning an event in another country can be stressful," he adds. "However, there are plenty of virtual resources available to potential clients (no matter where they are from). "The website is your first stop. After all, it’s a window into the business, and any photographer worth his or her salt knows that this can be a deal-maker or breaker. Make sure there is an English version of the website; if not, that’s a non-starter. "Pay attention to the speed and detail in which you receive a response to your inquiry. And finally, invest in a conversation to get a general vibe and verify what type of experience the photographer has working with b’nei mitzvah families (ask about the flow of a typical event, and don’t be shy to ask for suggestions about local, the party, or even accommodation based on past examples).
Tours
While celebrating a bar/bat mitzvah in Jerusalem is an incredibly rewarding experience in and of itself, guided tours of Jerusalem and the rest of Israel can also be an enriching accompaniment. Take advantage of this opportunity and visit the City of David, Tower of David Museum, The Jerusalem Archaelogical Park, and the legendary Hurva Synagogue, which was recently reopened.
In addition to being fun and educational, it has the potential "to plant the seeds of personal development, self-grown and responsibility in a young teenager," says Jerusalem-based tour guide David Sussman, adding that for such an occasion, you should be sure to hire a "highly qualified guide."
"The guide should be passionate, funny and engaging for both the kids as well as the adults, and if they served in the army here, that is always a plus as well, as army service is a huge part of Israeli society and will give your guide a true sense of Israeli culture.
If you're looking for a unique experience, we recommend checking out Smart Tour and especially their Classic Old City EZ Raider Tour. This special adventure will allow starting your celebration in a fun activity that will also expand your horizons – all while driving an exciting EZ Raider vehicle – all the way to the Western Wall.
Another interesting and inspiring attraction worth visiting is The Rabbi Kook House. The historic house functions as a museum and is perfect for those looking to enrich the bar mitzvah experience with valuable content and engaging activities. During your visit to the museum, you will visit the house of Rabbi Kook, see historic and authentic items, and learn about his extraordinary life. In addition, you will also have the chance of participating in a variety of activities, take a guided tour, and watch a fascinating movie. Looking to enrich your experience even further? The Rabbi Kook house hosts classes and courses, seminars, culture nights, educational activities, and walking tours around the city.
If you'd like to find your own tours, check out our listing of tours in Jerusalem & Israel.
Buying Tefillin
Photo: Alex Yampolsky
One of the most important and meaningful aspects of any bar mitzvah (and for some bat mitzvahs) is the donning of tefillin. Jerusalem is home to Oter Israel, one of the most highly regarded producers in the world of tefillin in accordance with all types of Jewish tradition. In addition to selling tefillin, Oter Israel also offers tours of its factory, where you can get an up-close look at the process of making tefillin, from inscription to assembly. Learning about all the effort and care that goes into producing tefillin is sure to enhance the experience of putting on tefillin as a Jewish adult for the first time.
Read more about Oter Israel >>
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