B'nai Mitzvah

The school curriculum and programs help prepare our students for the service and Torah reading on their special day.

In the spring of the Dalet (4th grade) class year, families receive the date for their child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In 5th and 6th grade, our students start learning Trope, and each student gets a chance to read Torah during a service. Our Kita Hey (5th grade) students lead a Torah service in the Chapel and share their understanding of their B'nai Mitzvah Torah portion.

Our Vav (6th grade) class class reads Torah during Simchat Torah and in their class service that is held in the Mandell Sanctuary, where the students lead the congregation in prayer. This service acquaints students with the bimah and removes its "mystery." Vav students work with our rabbis during religious school on a regular basis, learning how to look at and understand Torah in preparation for writing their individual D'var Torah (a short lesson from the Torah portion). Hey (5th grade) and Vav families participate in a series of family educational programs that focus on preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

All Bar and Bat Mitzvah students are required to participate in a personal or family Mitzvah project. This is usually begun a year prior to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They are also required to attend eight services in the main congregation to gain a familiarity with the service.

Click HERE to view our updated Bar-Bat-Brit Mitzvah Handbook.