Introduction
Whether you are celebrating a wedding, the birth of a child, or a bar or bat mitzvah, you have the opportunity to imbue your celebration with added meaning by choosing to make your celebration a Just Simcha!
Jewish celebrations are not just about individuals—they are about family, community, and, by extension, the world. A simcha is a great time to take a step back and consider:
- How can I celebrate in a way that is true to my Jewish values?
- What meaning do I want this milestone to have in my life or the life of my child?
- How can I make this incredible moment in my life affect not just the people around me, but the world as a whole?
Choose tzedek when you plan some of the most important moments in your life: the beginning of your life with your new spouse, the birth of your child, or your child’s transition to Jewish adulthood. Use the Just Simchas guide to help you make tzedek a part of these milestone celebrations Every decision you make in planning your celebration can be part of your decision to help advance tzedek in some form: choosing a caterer, selecting the décor, and even deciding what to do with the leftovers!
Below you will find resource guides for different milestones. Each guide contains information about how to achieve tzedek through the following aspects of your simcha:
- Caterers and Food
- Location
- Apparel
- Décor
- Invitations
- Gifts
Just Simchas: Brit Milah and Simchat Bat
Just Simchas: Bar and Bat Mizvah
Just Simchas: All Inclusive Guide for All Occasions
We ask that you please consider making an $18.00 donation to help defray from the cost of publishing this supplement and support Uri L’Tzedek’s vision of Orthodox social justice.
Share your experiences creating Just Simchas with Uri L’Tzedek!
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to provide inspiration for future planners.
The Just Simchas Guide is inspired by Green and Just Celebrations, a project of Jews United for Justice (www.jufj.org) and written by Joelle Novey and Rebecca Shaloff. We thank them for their guidance and support.
