B’nai Mitzvah

Bar and Bat Mitzvah—A Passage to Jewish Adulthood 

We celebrate our youth coming of age as young Jews at 13 or later when that’s best for them.

Preparation

Students start preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in 2nd grade by learning Hebrew and parts of the liturgy. This process accelerates in 5th grade when dates are assigned for the student's ceremony (which takes places during their 7th grade year). Students start to work with the clergy, depending on their level of facility with Hebrew, in the year before their ceremony. During this time the student will also begin crafting their drash (sermon) under the guidance of our rabbis. 

Family B'nai Mitzvah Class

To help the whole family prepare for a meaningful simcha, all sixth graders and their parents take part in the Family Bnai Mitzvah class taught by our clergy. Students and parents study Torah, learn about bar and bat mitzvah traditions and liturgy, and discuss what makes this is a meaningful event in their lives.

B'nai Mitzvah Family Shabbaton

Sixth graders and their families spend a full Shabbat together with our rabbis and educator at a beautiful retreat center outside of the city, from Friday dinner through Havdallah on Saturday evening,