Preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

The occasion of your child becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a very special time for you and your family, and for our congregation as well. While there are many days in the lives of our children that are filled with pride and joy, this moment in Jewish life enables and encourages us pause to appreciate the awesomeness of your child taking an honored place in shalshelet ha-kabbalah, the chain of our Jewish tradition.

Families who wish for their sons to become Bar Mitzvah or their daughters to become Bat Mitzvah (plural B’nai Mitzvah) are invited to join BJC and enroll their children in our Jewish education program. Children typically enroll in the fourth grade and are required to complete the seventh grade year, although exceptions can be made for children in full-time Jewish day school or transferring from another synagogue religious school. Our students are trained to lead the congregation in the appropriate blessings for the worship service and with the rabbi, lead the congregation on a Saturday morning. Students chant from the Sefer Torah, as well as a Haftarah, and deliver a commentary on the day’s Torah portion crafted together with the Rabbi. In the year of the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, individual tutors are assigned to each student (additional fee required) from BJC’s list of experienced teachers.