B'nei Mitzvah Preparation

Picture courtesy of Sarah Merians www.sarahmerians.com

B’nei Mitzvah at Temple Beth El 

When a boy or girl reaches maturity he or she is expected to assume the religious responsibilities of an adult in the Jewish community. At Temple Beth El, this is marked by participating in a Shabbat service and reading from the Torah. Students also have an option to participate in an inter-generational trip to Israel and to celebrate the Bar/Bat Mitzvah during that trip. 

Students prepare for Bar or Bat Mitzvah by developing skills to lead the congregation in parts of the Shabbat service, by learning to chant from the weekly Torah and Haftarah portions and by creating a D'var Torah, an individual interpretation of the weekly reading.  In order to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a student must be enrolled in our Religious School for at least four years prior to the event. Families must be members of the congregation in good standing and students must participate in the Religious School as well as all B'nei Mitzvah preparation meetings. 

Approximately twelve to fifteen months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, families are invited to attend a B’nei Mitzvah Orientation and about three to six months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, families are invited to attend a B’nei Mitzvah Check-In.  Planning and preparing for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a very personal and individualized journey. No two families travel the same path. For your convenience, we have posted below a set of resources to guide you on your journey.  We suggest that you read through the B'nei Mitzvah Family Orientation document and review both the Materials for Learning B'nei Mitzvah Prayers and the Materials for Choosing and Learning Torah and Haftarah Portions. 

Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at jjaffe@bethelnw.org or at 914-238-3928 x1311. 

On behalf of the Temple Beth El clergy and staff, we are thrilled to support your child and family through this coming of age ritual.  Thank you for celebrating your simcha within our community. 

Mazel tov, 
Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe  
 

Resources for Students:

Suggested Torah and Haftarah Readings

Essential Blessings & Prayers for B'nei Mitzvah Preparation

Local Mitzvah Project Opportunities

Resources for Parents:

B'nei Mitzvah Family Information Packet

Torah Blessings (Aliyah) with Transliteration

B'nei Mitzvah Honors Sheet

Sample Parent Blessing

Mitzvah Corps Orientation

Holding the Service/Reception at Beth El:

Kiddush Lunch and Reception Facility Rental Information

Orientation and Check-in Meeting Videos:

October 2024 B'nei Mitzvah Check-In Meeting For Jan-Mar 2025 Families

June 2025 B’nei Mitzvah Check-In Meeting

January 2024 B'nei Mitzvah Date Setting Meeting

B'nei Mitzvah Orientation Meeting