Kippa, kippot, yarmulke, skullcap, whatever you call it, many families decide to order these head coverings for a bar or bat Mitzvah service. We’ve gotten a lot of questions about kippot lately and thought we should answer some common questions.
How many kippot should I order?
The number of kippot needed is different for every party because you are ordering based on your guest count. About how many males do you anticipate attending? How many of them will likely wear them? Will there be someone greeting your guests at the service and distributing the kippot? If so, you might want to estimate high. If kippot are self-service, you may want to estimate low.
What kippot should I order?
Kippot are available in a variety of fabric choices–cloth, suede, leather, knit, embossed, satin, silk, linen, woven, custom images… It is a personal preference and budgetary choice about which style to choose. Most kippot are embossed or labeled with the guest of honor’s name, whether it is a Bar or Bat mitzvah and the event date.
When should I order kippot?
Lead times vary by manufacturer but give yourself at least a month to be safe. Also, keep in mind that many kippot manufacturers are run by Orthodox Jews, and are closed often during the fall for the various Jewish holidays so you can anticipate slower service and longer lead times around this window.
Do I need to order custom kippot?
Temples have a variety of customs regarding whether or not it is expected for families to provide custom kippot for their guests. Before ordering, check with your congregation to see if there are rules around this.
In Conclusion
It’s a nice touch to order kippot for your guests, but is not an absolutely necessary expense. It’s a nice tie in to your event colors and/or theme when it is allowed. Keep in mind that if you order too few, there are usually extras available at your temple.
