In 2015 Temple Beth-El developed a new approach to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah, a sacred lifecycle moment that is rooted in three immutable values:
Personal | Meaningful | Empowering
These values are the guideposts for the clergy, staff, community, and family for each child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience.
How It Works
At least one year in advance of a child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the child and parents will meet with the clergy to design a plan for the child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience that is personally tailored to the unique needs of that child and that family. The plan will outline details such as date and time of the ceremony (i.e., it doesn’t have to take place on a Saturday morning, or even on a Shabbat!), elements of Jewish prayer/ritual that we will work with the child to master (i.e., it doesn’t have to include chanting a haftarah!), concrete plans for gemilut hasadim and tikun olam work, and other shared commitments and expectations.
Guiding that conversation, and reinforcing it afterward, is a refashioned set of communal standards concerning B’nai Mitzvah, all of which can be found in the newly revised Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook. The standards center on the three pillars of Judaism outlined above – Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Hasadim – to demonstrate that our Temple’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience is focused on inspiring each child (and each family) toward a meaningful adult Jewish life.
We believe that this process will greatly improve the “standard” Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. It will strengthen families’ Jewish and communal commitments, inspiring them to remain deeply engaged with the Temple, and Jewish life in general. Ultimately, we believe this revitalized process will have reverberations throughout the congregation, infusing everything we do with more purpose, strength, and continued vitality.
For your convenience - B'nai Mitzvah Service Brochure Sample Text
Information for Temple Bulletin
This form is also on page 24 in the handbook.
Either use the one in your handbook OR fill out the form below.
