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Something Special

Gift giving for the bar and bat mitzvah.

Lynne Konstantin

I Contributing Writer

hile 12- and 13-year-olds are hardly adults, becoming a bar
or bat mitzvah should be a meaningful step toward maturity
and living a Jewish life. Which means that gift-giving is that
much more tricky. Not a child; not an adult — what to do?
Gone are the days that the typewriter is the end-all of bar mitzvah

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gifts (unless the recipient is into antiques). A pen set or cash (in mul-
tiples of 18, or chai) are still popular and generous, and camp gear
and sporting equipment are always welcome. But if you are looking
to bestow something a bit more meaningful, read on for some of our
favorite suggestions.

The GIFT OF AN ADVENTURE can be life-changing,
confidence-boosting or just fun. Consider a gift
certificate for a horse-riding lesson (try Haverhill
Farms in White Lake, pictured), a scuba-diving course,
even tickets to a concert or sporting event.

Israeli artisan Michal Golan's STAR OF DAVID EARRINGS ($56)
are studded with amethyst and blue Swarovski crystals.
Emery's Creative Jewelry, Farmington Hills (248-855-0433).

Tangibly handcrafted and super cool
for boys or girls, MarLa Studio's
bronze 18=CHAI=LIFE NECKLACE ($66)
reverses from "chai" in Hebrew on one
side to "18" (the numeric equivalent
for the letters of chai) on the other
side. Marlastudio.com .

This brown or black LEATHER CHAI BRACELET ($39),
also available with a Star of David or Shema, is a
rugged alternative to a necklace for a boy. Alef Bet
by Paula (alefbet.com ; 888-253-3238).

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Multicolored
Swarovski crystals,
glass beads and
enamel embellish
Michal Golan's
HAMSA BRACELET
($31), the Middle
Eastern symbol
of good luck and
protection from the
"evil eye," strung
together on a black
leather cord. Emery's
Creative Jewelry,
Farmington Hills
(248-855-0433).

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Celebrate her special day with a personalized gift wrapped up in
adorable packaging. Kris Nations' BIRTHSTONE NECKLACE ($42)
is packaged in a corked bottle along with info about the mean-
ing of the stone. Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield (248-851-1260).

C. Bennett Scopes will transform a
bar or bat mitzvah invitation into the
centerpiece of a one-of-a-kind SPECIAL
OCCASION KALEIDOSCOPE ($70),
embellished with beads and a liquid-
filled chamber filled with complementary
colors. Cbennettscopes.com ;
(856-223-8857).

