B'nai Mitzvah

There are few rites of passage like the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Many have described it as the most spiritual moment of their lives. At Temple Sholom, our Learning Center (Religious School) teachers and clergy will work closely with your child over a period of several years to ensure that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a religiously meaningful experience.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah means son/daughter of the commandment and signifies the moment when our children become responsible for their own relationship with our synagogue and with the Jewish people. We hope that the course of study will help to instill our young people with a love of Judaism that will lead them to serve their Jewish communities for a lifetime to come. Our children can become Bar/Bat Mitzvah at two different services:

Shabbat Morning: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah conducts the Torah service, reads from the Torah and Haftarah and leads prayers such as the Shema and the Amidah.

Shabbat Afternoon: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah conducts the Torah service, reads from the Torah, and leads prayers such as Ashrei and the Amidah.

In 5th grade children begin to familiarize themselves with the sacred liturgy of the Saturday morning Torah service, which they will lead the day of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In the 6th grade they will learn the Trope (cantillation symbols), which will enable them to learn the Torah reading required for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Beginning in third grade, students have attendance requirements at both Friday night and Saturday morning services. Frequent attendance at either of the Shabbat services is especially encouraged as this will increase the student’s proficiency and comfort in the leading the prayers on the day of their simcha. Children will also assist in leading prayers at non-Bar/Bat Mitzvah services, by arrangement with the Cantor or Ritual Director.

B’nai mitzvah dates are assigned during the 4th grade year. Our congregational coordinator will contact all families and request three choices of dates.