Canadians give much larger gifts. For a wedding the minimum would be $100, if not more. For a Bar Mitzvah, at least $72. I have a Bar Mitzvah coming up in couple of weeks and I shall give either $90 or $108, as the boy is the grandson of a very dear friend. I am not trying to show off because my budget is pretty darn tight, but just being truthful as to what people around here usually give. Recently, there was a Bar Mitzvah at the shul and I know the mother quite well – but just through shul and sisterhood activities. She did what not many do – she invited the entire congregation to the kiddush following the Bar Mitzvah. Because I was not one of the invited guests, I gave the boy $18.00. The mother told me that I shouldn’t have done it, it wasn’t necessary, etc. I told her that because she was gracious enough to include the congregation in her simcha, I felt that I wanted to do it. And then I added “besides, it isn’t for you, its for him.”
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