I’m honored to invite you to share in this meaningful moment in Lu’s life—and in mine. Celebrating her Bat Mitzvah with the people we love gives this moment its deepest meaning.
— Ron
Lu's Mitzvah royale
Lu's Bat Mitzvah
License to Chill
2.14.2026
Counting the Days
Every Second Brings Us Closer
The wait will soon be over, and a new chapter in Lu's life will begin.
The prelude
Friday 2/13/2026
Friday night services
Optional attendance but we'd love for you to join us!
The rabbi blesses Lu as we welcome Shabbat
Coffee and dessert Oneg follows service
Date & Time
Friday, February 13, 2026
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location
Temple Akiba, Culver City, CA
Dress Code
Dressy casual
THE BIG DAY
Saturday 2/14/2026
LU BECOMES AN ADULT
In Jewish tradition, at age 13 a Bat Mitzvah marks the step into Jewish adulthood, with new responsibilities and obligations.
- 10:15 AM
- Bat Mitzvah Service
Temple Akiba of Culver City
5249 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
- 12:00 PM
- Light kiddush luncheon
Following the service
- 6:00 PM
- Dinner & Reception
Raintree Clubhouse
Raintree Circle & Tara Terrace
Culver City, CA 90230
- Temple akiba
Park in the Centinela Feed parking lot next to the temple, or on Sepulveda.
Enter at the REAR of the building.
Respectful temple attire.
Enter at the REAR of the building.
Respectful temple attire.
- Raintree Clubhouse
Raintree Circle & Tara Terrace
Culver City, CA 90230
Check in with the guard, who will direct you to parking and the clubhouse. Black tie in keeping with James Bond theme.
Culver City, CA 90230
Check in with the guard, who will direct you to parking and the clubhouse. Black tie in keeping with James Bond theme.
Your presence makes each moment even more memorable.
RSVP Now
Bat Mitzvah - What to Expect
Prepare to read right to left
A Bat Mitzvah (literally "daughter of the commandment") is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony traditionally marks the time when a girl becomes a Jewish adult. This means that they are now responsible for their own actions and can decide for themselves how they would like to practice Judaism.
Two rabbis and a cantor walk into a bar
Everything You Need to Know
TEMPLE
What is the dress code for temple?
Guests often worry about “getting it right,” but there’s a wide range of attire at Reform services. Saturday daytime services tend to be a bit dressier than Friday night, but the overall goal is simply to dress comfortably and respectfully. If you’d wear it to a nice family gathering, you’ll fit right in. Best to stay away from shorts, jeans, tank tops, and flip-flops. Friday night, jackets and ties are optional, not required. Saturday, they are common but not mandatory.
Do I need to wear that little skullcap and shawl?
Kippot (yarmulkes, traditional head coverings) and tallit (prayer shawls) are not required for our non-Jewish guests. You are, of course, welcome to wear a kippah if you’d like — and it could even help keep your head warm. We’ve provided custom kippot for our guests, which also make lovely keepsakes of Lu’s special day, and we encourage you to take one as you enter the sanctuary. Most important to us is that you feel comfortable and welcome.
Will I understand the hebrew?
Probably not — and it’s best to keep that Google translator tucked away in your purse or jacket. 😊 Fortunately, everything is translated in the prayer books, and we encourage you to follow along at whatever pace feels comfortable.
Where to park?
Parking is available in the rear of the Centinela Feed lot adjacent to the temple, as well as along the temple wall — both areas are reserved for Temple Akiba guests. Please avoid parking in the front of the store, and tempting though it may be, steer clear of the spot marked “Reserved for Head Rabbi.” If the lot is full, there’s plenty of street parking available along Sepulveda.
How long does it last?
It goes by faster than you think. Friday night services last about an hour, followed by a dessert oneg and social time for another 45 minutes to an hour. Saturday morning services are about an hour and a half, with a relaxed kiddush lunch afterward that lasts about an hour or so. Between watching Lu lead the service after all her hard work — and a special surprise she has in store — the time tends to fly by, and hopefully you’ll be clamoring for more.
RECEPTION
What is the dress code for the reception
Black tie. Picture James Bond and Honey Ryder.
Where to park?
As for parking — this is a bit of a challenge, as guest parking within the Raintree grounds is limited. All guests will check in with the guard at the gate, who will confirm that your name is on the VIP guest list and direct you to on-site parking if spaces are available. If not, parking is available along Jefferson Boulevard with a short walk in. Rideshare is encouraged — and for the adventurous, it’s a great opportunity to experience Waymo and its driverless cars.
How long does it last?
The reception runs from 6:00–10:00 p.m.; please allow a little extra time for parking and the walk to the clubhouse.
Hollywood historical note
Celebrating on the very grounds where Hollywood legends were made
RAINTREE
As you drive through the gates and walk to the clubhouse for the evening’s celebration, you may see a peaceful lake surrounded by condos. But as you pass the water—once home to a studio-built riverboat for Show Boat—try to imagine a very different scene.
Before these homes were built, this land was part of MGM Studios’ storied Lot 3, where hundreds of movies and TV shows were filmed. Can you hear the Tarzan yell echoing through the trees as Johnny Weissmuller swung overhead? Or picture Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, and Telly Savalas dodging explosions in Kelly’s Heroes? Perhaps you’ll glimpse Roddy McDowall, William Shatner, or Robert Cummings in The Twilight Zone, or Leonard Nimoy and Burgess Meredith filming The Outer Limits—all on the very ground you’ll be walking.
Add The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra, Man from U.N.C.L.E., and hundreds more, and suddenly this quiet community becomes one of Hollywood’s great forgotten stages.
With history like that, it’s no surprise Lu chose a Bond theme.
Hollywood lives here.
Before these homes were built, this land was part of MGM Studios’ storied Lot 3, where hundreds of movies and TV shows were filmed. Can you hear the Tarzan yell echoing through the trees as Johnny Weissmuller swung overhead? Or picture Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, and Telly Savalas dodging explosions in Kelly’s Heroes? Perhaps you’ll glimpse Roddy McDowall, William Shatner, or Robert Cummings in The Twilight Zone, or Leonard Nimoy and Burgess Meredith filming The Outer Limits—all on the very ground you’ll be walking.
Add The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra, Man from U.N.C.L.E., and hundreds more, and suddenly this quiet community becomes one of Hollywood’s great forgotten stages.
With history like that, it’s no surprise Lu chose a Bond theme.
Hollywood lives here.
Meet LU
Lu
Lu is a seventh grader at Culver City Middle School and a member of the Temple Akiba community, where she has been studying and preparing for this day for the past four years. She loves dogs of all kinds and books of every sort — her two favorite things — along with playing the violin, spending time with her friends and family, Roblox, and, most recently, developing an intense curiosity about forensic science.
It remains something of a mystery that she complains so passionately about going to school, given that she has earned straight A’s every year since kindergarten, including in Accelerated Math and Advanced Orchestra. Her greatest joys include sleeping very late on weekends and displaying extraordinary creativity when inventing reasons not to do chores.
Above all, Lu is known for her incredibly kind heart. She is deeply grateful to all the friends and family who have come together to celebrate this milestone with her.
Tikkun olam
Tikkun olam, meaning “repair of the world,” reflects the Jewish belief that we are called to help mend a broken world through kindness, charity, justice, and responsibility to one another, partnering with God to create a more equitable society.
In addition to her philanthropic Mitzvah Project, this past year alone Lu independently raised and donated over $400 to organizations supporting children, veterans, animals, healthcare, and Jewish community services.
In addition to her philanthropic Mitzvah Project, this past year alone Lu independently raised and donated over $400 to organizations supporting children, veterans, animals, healthcare, and Jewish community services.
In Loving memory
They shared laughter, a deep love of dogs, and a bond that helped shape the funny, caring, compassionate young woman Lu is today.
Lu's Grandparents, Richard "young man" & Horty "Young Lady" Levinson - and Maggie
Can't wait to celebrate with you!
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