Finding More Meaningful Ways to Mark Milestones

How appalling and tragic that many bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah celebrations have become ostentatious productions more focused on keeping up with or outdoing the Joneses than on recognizing this significant milestone (“Club Bar Mitzvah: Coming of Age in a Disco Inferno,” Feb. 23). Are these really the values we want to teach our children?

Many families have found more meaningful and appropriate ways to celebrate. As a Jewish parent, I’d like to suggest that those considering spending $20,000 to $30,000 on a “theatrical production/aerobics workout/rock concert” instead take a family trip to Israel and donate the balance to a charity of the bar/bat mitzvah child’s choice.

NANCY SOKOLER STEINER

Los Angeles