The date is set. The hall is booked. Your Bar Mitzvah boy or Bat Mitzvah girl has begun preparing for the big day. And now the panic is beginning is set in. With all the details involved in planning a simcha, you could try to do it all yourself. Or you could take advantage of the websites and software designed to help make your planning a little bit easier. Today, a guide to the simcha guides.

Please note that I can’t vouch for the commercial software products mentioned because I haven’t had a chance to use them (yet). But I can offer you a couple of tips. Some companies allow you to download trial versions so you can try before you buy. And if you are interested in purchasing some software, plug the name of the product into a search engine like Google http://www.google.com so that you can shop around for the best price.

First, though, let’s start with some free advice and assistance. MitzvahChic Swap Info has great ideas from parents who have been there and planned that – and have survived to tell the tale. Some of the topics currently under discussion include:
- How do I create a bar mitzvah that doesn’t seem like a clone of all the others?
- How do I stay on budget?
- How do I find a connection between the Torah portion and the theme we’ve chosen for our bat mitzvah.
- And my favourite: Where can I find Stanley Cup centerpieces?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G48A23B67

Caterer? Check. Invitations? Check. Videographer? Check. If you love using checklists to keep yourself in line, then take a look at the free forms that you’ll find at the MyJewishWedding.com. Although this is primarily a wedding site, many of the lists can certainly do double-duty for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. You can download and print off 16 free planning worksheets and checklists that cover almost everything facet of your simcha. http://makeashorterlink.com/?W1A532857

According to its promotional material, the Mazal Tov Planner will help you track your invitations and RSVPs, arrange seating lists, plan aliyas and other honors and even estimate your no-shows. http://www.jewishsoftware.com/products/104.asp Also check out Bnai Mitzvah Party Planning Software http://www.castlecomputer.com/bnai.htm, My Bar/Bat Mitzvah Companion http://www.fivestarsoftware.com/mitzvah/ and other software listed at Maven. http://www.maven.co.il/subjects.asp?S=116

While their parents are worrying about flowers and seating plans, kids have a challenge of their own: learning how to recite the parasha or haftorah. Navigating the Bible is one of my all-time favourite websites. Every verse of the Torah is reproduced in the script seen in Torah scrolls along with a version with vowels and another transliterated using English characters. If that weren’t enough, you can click on any verse to hear it chanted online. http://bible.ort.org/

Navigating the Bible can also be purchased on a CD-ROM so that you are able to practice without an Internet connection. You can check out other software such as Bar Mitzvah Tutor
http://www.jewishshopsonline.com/product105.html and Trope Trainer.
http://www.davka.com/cgi-bin/product.cgi?product=301

The simcha is over. The thank-you notes are written. The bills are paid. What’s left to be done? Shep some nachas! The OnlySimchas website lets you tell the world about your celebration and offers you a place to upload photos of the event. http://www.onlysimchas.com/ The pictures are sweet but what makes this site truly lovely are the comments in the “Simcha Guestbook.” “Well Done Moishie - you did us all proud.” “Dina, you are truly a special person and I am so glad that we became good buddies over the past two summers in camp.” “DUDE!!! YOU ARE NOW A MAN...CONGRATS”

Mazal tov – and happy planning!

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Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based website producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at highway@rogers.com.