Bar Mitzvah Gifts

Bar mitzvah gifts that actually get used

A bar mitzvah gift from a Judaica store carries a different weight than something from a department store. The tefillin, the siddur, the first set of mishnayos — these aren’t display items. They’re tools he’s going to use every single day. That’s why it matters where they come from.

We’ve been outfitting bar mitzvah boys from the Eichler’s family for over fifty years. Here’s what we know works.

If you’re the parents

The tefillin are the centerpiece. Every bar mitzvah boy needs a pair, and this is usually the parents’ gift. We carry three tiers — Mehudar Gassos, Dakkos, and Peshutim Mehudarim — all sofer-inspected and certified. Most families choose Dakkos as a first pair; it’s the sweet spot between hiddur and cost. If the family minhag is to gift Gassos, we have those too.

Read more about our tefillin standards on our Standards page.

The tallis — whether he’ll wear one right away depends on your minhag (Sephardim yes, most Ashkenazim after marriage, some chasidishe kehillos from bar mitzvah). If he’ll wear one, shop our tallis collection.

If you’re a grandparent

Classic grandparent bar mitzvah gifts:

• Siddur — a quality bound siddur (Artscroll nusach ashkenaz or sfard, or Koren, depending on minhag). Personalized name-stamping available on select editions.
• Seforim set — a Mishnayos, a Gemara (Artscroll Schottenstein or Oz Vehadar), or a full-size Stone Chumash.
• Tallis bag or tefillin bag — leather, velvet, or suede, often personalized with the boy’s name.
• Kiddush cup — sterling silver if the budget allows, silver-plate if not. Either way, it lasts.

If you’re a friend, uncle, teacher

Gifting under $75? Great options:

• A beautiful bentcher set (for the seudah)
• A nice pocket Tehillim
• A Judaica item for his room — menorah, tzedakah box, bookends
• Seforim on his level — halacha seforim for beginners, a biography of a gadol

Gifting over $75? Consider a silver pen, a quality watch box, or a framed art piece with a pasuk.

Not sure what he already has?

Call us at 732-444-3111. We talk to bar mitzvah parents every day and we’ll help you pick something he doesn’t already have. If you’re local, come to either Lakewood store — 1105 East County Line Rd or 1328 River Ave — and we’ll walk through it with you.