Hebrew good wishes help, please?

monster · 11-01-2010, 07:42 AM

We are unable to attend the Bat Mitzvah of Hebe's first best friend who moved away but with whom we are still in touch. I'd like to use an appropriate Hebrew greeting in the reply (?Mazel Tov), if it's not rude for me to do so, given that I'm not Jewish. Advice, please (1) would this be rude/not appropriate? (2) best phrase for a Bat Mitzvah.

thanks

also should we send a card? A gift has been expressly "forbidden". The invitation was paperless (they know already we're not likely to make it so it was more a politeness to send it)

Trilby · 11-01-2010, 07:55 AM

I can't help you, Monster, but Sheldon can.

monster · 11-01-2010, 08:13 AM

there's a first time for everything!

Spexxvet · 11-01-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

I can't help you, Monster, but Sheldon can.

And Rich Levy

xoxoxoBruce · 11-01-2010, 10:02 AM

If you wish, "Mazel Tov" is "congratulations", and appropriate for any celebration. The best way not to offend is don't try to play Jewish, and respond as you would to any other of her friends.

monster · 11-01-2010, 11:04 AM

Thanks -there is a little background story where the mom tries to use British phrases occasionally, and I Yiddish (rather than Hebrew) so that's why I thought I might get away with it here, but just wanted to check there weren't any major no-nos -like wishing an actor good luck

appreciate the input.

wolf · 11-02-2010, 01:53 PM

Hallmark will come to your rescue, and probably for under 4 bucks.

Mazel Tov is generally acceptable as a congratulatory phrase, although I remember a Rabbi at a wedding I went to explaining that it meant Lucky Stars or Good Stars.

11-01-2010, 07:42 AM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Hebrew good wishes help, please? We are unable to attend the Bat Mitzvah of Hebe's first best friend who moved away but with whom we are still in touch. I'd like to use an appropriate Hebrew greeting in the reply (?Mazel Tov), if it's not rude for me to do so, given that I'm not Jewish. Advice, please (1) would this be rude/not appropriate? (2) best phrase for a Bat Mitzvah. thanks also should we send a card? A gift has been expressly "forbidden". The invitation was paperless (they know already we're not likely to make it so it was more a politeness to send it) __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-01-2010, 07:55 AM	#2
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	I can't help you, Monster, but Sheldon can. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

11-01-2010, 08:13 AM	#3
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	there's a first time for everything! __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-01-2010, 10:02 AM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	If you wish, "Mazel Tov" is "congratulations", and appropriate for any celebration. The best way not to offend is don't try to play Jewish, and respond as you would to any other of her friends. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-01-2010, 11:04 AM	#6
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Thanks -there is a little background story where the mom tries to use British phrases occasionally, and I Yiddish (rather than Hebrew) so that's why I thought I might get away with it here, but just wanted to check there weren't any major no-nos -like wishing an actor good luck appreciate the input. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-02-2010, 01:53 PM	#7
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Hallmark will come to your rescue, and probably for under 4 bucks. Mazel Tov is generally acceptable as a congratulatory phrase, although I remember a Rabbi at a wedding I went to explaining that it meant Lucky Stars or Good Stars. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

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