Discourage ostentation at bat-/barmitzvahs

Jeff Katz

What this vulgar ostentation succeeds in doing is preventing less well-off persons “enjoying” their simchas for fear of being ridiculed. They fear that theirs will be like a Salvation Army soup kitchen.

What a pity that we show the world who we are by our material acquirements and in so doing destroy the others’ genuine gifts to their children.

We have “undercatered” if there is less food left over than to start with – how we love to embarrass the less fortunate!

I was privy to a concerned and caring community in Israel. Irrespective of your wealth you were only allowed a spend X-amount on your simcha. Any amount exceeding that, was welcomed as a contribution towards those unable to “compete”.

Could it happen here?

 Constantia

Cape Town