Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I was invited to a former student's Bar Mitzvah in September. He invited all of his former teachers. Would you go? Would it be appropriate?

TIA

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

Personally I wouldn't go...I don't think it is appropriate. I know some teachers do this, but if this was me, I would feel like Iwould have to go to everything I was invited to...and if kids see you there they might feel that they have to invite you - just opens up a whole can of worms.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I wouldn't go either!! Too weird!

Now, if the family was related to me or are friends of my family, then that's another story... but otherwise, I wouldn't go.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

completely inappropriate.

i would send a card. no money or gift.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I don't necessarily think it's inappropriate, but I wouldn't go either. I've been invited to Sweet 16's, and I just felt like if I accepted one invitation, it might , like another poster said, open a whole can of worms.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I would not - I would send a card - no gift. I think you would be setting yourself up to be invited to a lot of them.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

If you are friendly with other teachers, see what they are doing...get a sense if it is the "norm" to do things like this...

Some areas are really "homey" and teachers are invited to student functions often...

That being said, I probably would not go, but I would send a card with a gift- most likely not cash, but a gift card or something like that...

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I went to the Bar Mitzvah of a student of mine years ago. He was Modern Orthodox. Th student had autism and worked his tuchas off. He read Hebrew and the family celebrated joyously. I was honored and privileged to go. I did not, however, give a monetary gift. Since his Bar Mitzvah was at the same time as Chanukah, I gave him a Winnie the Pooh themed menorah which you may think would be too young for a 13 year old but keep in mind his functioning level did not match his chronological age. I gave it to him the day before because I could not carry the gift into shul on the Sabbath. When I got there, the family was kvelling (Yiddish for "making a big deal" over the gift and how personal it was. Listening to this child chant his haftorah was one of the most incredible experiences as an educator I ever had - one that I will NEVER forget.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

No I would not attend.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I wouldn't go if there wasnot another connection besides school.

I put that exception in b/c my cousin married a former student of mine (total randomness), I went to the wedding and there were quite a few former students there.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

If it's a former student, I would think it would be okay. I would think about it, depending on whether the other teachers you know are going.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I would get disicplined for it. No socializing with student's or thier families.

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

Nope. Not appropriate. Why would you want to mingle with your students anyway?

Re: Would you go to a student's Bar Mitzvah?

I went to a former student's Bat Mitzvah several years ago (I had her in my class 3 years prior.) She and I kept in touch through out those years, and I was happy to see her on her special day. She invited me to the party also, which I declined.