Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations and parties in the Western world, along with their celebratory meals, have become increasingly elaborate in recent decades, often rivaling weddings in their extravagance. This phenomenon may in part result from a desire by Jewish parents to provide a cultural equivalent of the American sweet sixteen party, the Latin American quinceañera, or the Catholic confirmation. Hiring DJ's, live bands, magicians, comedians, look-alikes or other entertainment is common for a post-Synogogue Bar Mitzvah party.

The "Bar Mitzvah" and "Bat Mitzvah" is often misunderstood to be a rite of passage by which a Jewish boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult, but in fact it is a celebration of the adulthood that came about automatically by virtue of age. The ceremony itself does not change the status of the candidate nor does it impose any additional rights or responsibilities beyond those which were automatically given on a boy's 13th (or girl's 12th) birthday. Adulthood is celebrated, and as mentioned above, is often rewarded by a party with friends, live entertainment (or disc jockey), catered menu, and often takes place in a country club or event venue.

The term Bar Mitzvah is typically translated as "son of the commandment", and Bat Mitzvah as "daughter of the commandment". In Biblical Hebrew, however, the word "bar" or "bat" (the latter pronounced "bas" in Ashkenazi Hebrew) could also mean "subject to," or "subject to commandment." The plural form term for people of obligation is B'nai Mitzvah (or B'not Mitzvah if all the people are female), though when referring to multiple celebrations, many mistakenly say "Bar" or "Bat Mitzvot." Technically, the term refers to the child who is coming of age, and it is strictly correct to refer to someone as "becoming a bar (or bat) mitzvah." However, the term is more commonly used to refer to the coming of age ceremony itself, and you are more likely to hear that someone is "having a bar mitzvah."

Among some religious Jews, it is customary for a man who reaches the age of 83 to celebrate a second bar mitzvah, under the logic that a "normal" lifespan is 70 years, so that an 83-year-old can be considered 13 in a second lifetime. This practice is now becoming more common among the less orthodox denominations as well.

Confirmation
In Protestant Churches, the rite tends to be seen rather as a mature statement of faith by an already baptized person, usually an adolescent, and thus as a rite of passage, which, though not as big a change as a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, holds a similar meaning.

According to canon law for the Latin or Western Catholic Church, the sacrament is to be conferred on the candidate at "the age of discretion", which is generally taken to be about 7 years old.

Suggested religious evententertainment: DJ's, Gospel Singers, Cover Bands, Pop Bands, Alternative Bands, Tribute Bands, Look-Alikes, Magicians, Rock Bands, Country Bands, Solo Musicians, Hip Hop Artists, Party Bands