B'nai Mitzvah
Tuesdays 6:00 - 8:15 PM
Note: Assembly will be from 7:00 to 7:15 pm for all students.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation and Program
The B’nai Mitzvah program prepares students to take their place as adults within the Jewish Community. This program includes a focus on leading prayer, Jewish History, Judaica, and preparation of D’Var Torah.
Prayer & Liturgy: This portion is taught by the Rabbi. Curriculum includes learning standard liturgy, understanding its content and assimilation of its intent and meaning.
Lifecycles: We will explore the notion of life cycles and development of the Jewish People and Communities from a collective and communal perspective.
PreHolocaust Europe: The Pre - Holocaust Europe course focuses on the types of Jewish communities in Europe, their status, the countries and the contrast between Eastern and Western European societies. We will examine what allowed the rise of antisemitism that effectively led to the Holocaust.
Community Observance and Diaspora: We’ll discuss how worship and observance changed and matured from biblical and Roman times, through expansion of the Jewish Diaspora, into the creation of modern Jewish communities. This will include prayer, customs, languages. What has been maintained, and what has been lost? How has a sense of Peoplehood been preserved, and/or modified? Jewish observance and expression will be an emphasis.
Holocaust
Israel
Jewish Calendar: We will also cover the cycle of holidays and structure across the Jewish calendar year, including observances and celebrations and their significance.
Students should be 12 years old by September 30th to participate in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program. (For students who will turn 13 years of age between October 1 and February 1, the option exists to attend Tuesday Night Religious Studies simultaneously with the first hour of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class. These students are then expected to complete the second half of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program the following year.)
We require that our Bar/Bat Mitzvah youth candidates complete a minimum of two years of formal Jewish education before entering the Bar/Bat Mitzvah training program. In addition, Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates are required to attend at least 12 Shabbat services during their Bar/Bat Mitzvah class year. At least six services must be attended between the High Holy Days and February. Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies may not occur prior to March of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation year.
Tutoring will begin 9 months prior to the student’s Bar / Bat Mitzvah. Tutoring is done with the Rabbi. Supplemental tutors will be used only if deemed necessary, and at the parents expense and is approved by the Rabbi. Students will work on their Torah portion, D’Var Torah, and reciting prayers.