Bar & Bat Mitzvah Students:
While the primary focus of our Religious School and Hebrew School program is providing children with valuable Jewish knowledge and experiences, one of the milestones that we celebrate with students is B’nai Mitzvah. A child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah (literally, Son or Daughter of the Commandment) at the age of 13. Students must attend both Religious and Hebrew School in order to conduct a Bar or Bat Mitzvah service at Sinai Temple.
Students are expected to begin Hebrew School in the Alef class and continue through to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class. Students must be able to demonstrate an ability to read Hebrew, follow along in the siddur (prayerbook/order of service), prepare a Torah portion and Haftarah portion and demonstrate a positive relationship with Judaism.
There is a separate fee for B’nai Mitzvah tutoring. The Director of Education will assign each candidate Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor. The tutor and student will work together for approximately six months and the focus of these meetings will be on the Torah and Haftarah portions. About six months prior to a student’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah date, students will be set up by the Educator with a private tutor to work on the Torah and Haftorah portion for the service. The candidate will also meet periodically with the Rabbi as a part of the preparation process.
A complete list of B’nai Mitzvah policies and education requirements can be found in the Sinai Temple Bar & Bat Mitzvah Parent Guide provided at the first B’nai Mitzvah meeting.
