B'Nai Mitzvah

Dear Parents-
We wish you a Mazel Tov in advance as you and your student(s) begin the process of your child(ren) becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The months of preparation ahead of you are a journey that we will take together. This handbook is meant to help alleviate the stress and guide you as move towards achieving the goal of helping your student become Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a process of learning to accept the responsibility of the Mitzvot (Commandments) into one’s life. When a child turns thirteen in Judaism, a child after a course of study declares that he or she is ready and willing to accept Torah as the guiding words in one’s life. In our congregation, a student is expected to study Torah, learn the prayers of the services, to lead the service on the day of Bar or Bat Mitzvah, and to teach about his or her Torah portion through writing and delivering a D’Var Torah (Teaching and words of Torah).

This period of time in your lives will be hectic and busy. You student will begin meeting with a tutor six months before their service. He or she will also meet with the Rabbi and will attend Religious School and twenty services within the B’Nai Mitzvah year.
We are here to help you, to guide you, and to support you. Enjoy!

Mazel Tov!
Rabbi Jennifer Weiner
Debby Bruce
Terry Erlichman-Slater