Life Cycle Events

Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Becoming an Adult in the Jewish Community

The passage of a young person from the status of child to Jewish adult is celebrated with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Bar/Bat Mitzvah literally means “son/daughter of the commandments” and occurs on a Shabbat close to the child’s 13th birthday. In Reform Judaism, we mark this time as a blessed a celebratory event. On the occasion of one’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the student takes great pride in leading parts of the Shabbat service, being called to and reading from the Torah, and chanting the Haftarah portion.

At Congregation Shalom, significant study and preparation usher a child into the adult Jewish community. Before beginning the six month intensive study process coordinated by Cantor Berman, students attend formal Hebrew School classes and a religious school education. Religious School and Hebrew School participation is a pre-requisite for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, as is congregational membership (at least 2 years prior to the event or membership at another synagogue). During the intensive study, Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates will meet weekly with Cantor Berman and tutors, and in addition students will have the opportunity to study with Rabbi Shapiro and Rabbi Prass to talk through the process and prepare for various aspects.

Dates for Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are assigned during the student’s fourth grade year. Dates are available for new members by contacting the Executive Director.

You may learn more about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program and procedures by obtaining the B’nei Mitzvah Handbook.

Click here for Prayers and Blessings mp3 files.

 

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