Bat Mitzvah ettiquette question - need answer today!

[dreamshark]

One of my coworkers has a daughter that is invited to a Bat Mitzvah this weekend. Coworker is Chinese and wasn't even sure what a Bat Mitzvah was. She wants to make sure that her daughter does the right thing - dresses appropriately, brings the right kind of gift, etc. She asked me because I'm half-Jewish, but I wasn't brought up Jewish and actually don't know a thing about it, beyond the hazy idea that bar/bat mitzvah is sort of like Catholic confirmation.

If anybody has any suggestions or tips, please answer right away so I can pass it on to my coworker by the end of the day. She is particularly worried that she might accidentally pick a gift that was somehow offensive. I suggested that she avoid pork-based gifts. :-)

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Dress for church and you'll be fine.

B

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Yes, and money is an acceptable gift. When I was a kid, savings bonds were the usual gift. A fountain pen is the traditional funny gift, but don't do it.

B