What Do You Get Someone For a Bar Mitzvah?

I guess this makes me culturally unaware, or maybe culturally insensitive, but I have no idea what kind of gift is appropriate for a Bar Mitzvah.A very close friend of mine sent me an invitation to his son’s Bar Mitzvah, and I realized I knew nothing about Bar Mitzvahs.

The extent of my knowledge is that it is a Jewish ceremony in which a 13-year-old male is now considered a man. That’s it; I don’t know if it is a purely religious ceremony or partially secular, I have no idea what to wear, although I guess a suit almost always works. Do I wear a yarmulke even though I’m not Jewish?

And finally, what is an appropriate gift? I would lean toward cash, but I don’t know if that is considered crass for a religious occasion, plus, if cash is acceptable, what is an appropriate amount? The father of the boy in question is a terrific friend, the kind of friend you wish all your friends were, the kind of guy who comes through for you when you desperately need him to, so I don’t want to look like a jerk or insult him inadvertently, so I guess I have some research to do.

Do you have any tips for me? Let me know in the comment section below.