Bar and Bat Mitzvah

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is a rite of passage marking the time when a child assumes the religious responsibilities of adulthood. Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a very meaningful time in the lives of our children and their families. 

At Beth Emet, we emphasize and value the child’s preparation and subsequent involvement in Jewish life as much as we focus on creating a very meaningful and proud experience on the day of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our young congregants work directly with our Rabbi and Cantor, as well as with tutors, congregants and our Directors of Lifelong Learning and Youth Programming. They are given opportunities to perfect their prayer and Torah reading skills, as well as to ask questions, which lead to meaningful answers. During the service, the child demonstrates knowledge of Jewish tradition and leads Shabbat morning worship before family and community.

Preparation includes:

• Torah Study (Torah)
  • On-going study in our Beit Sefer or local Day School
  • In-depth study of the Torah portion corresponding to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date and the preparation of a D'var Torah with our  Director of Lifelong learning or a congregant
• Worship and ritual practice (Avodah)   
  • Six months of preparation for reading Torah and Haftorah with our Tutor and Cantor
  • Family sessions with the Rabbi
  • Attendance at 12 Shabbat Services
• Deeds of Loving-Kindness (Gemilut Hasadim)
  • Guidance from our Director of Youth Programming  for the completion of a personal Mitzvah project
  • Volunteer hours in our synagogue and the community beyond.

    Check out what one student did for his personal mitzvah project.

For further information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at ext. 306.

Resources for current Bar/Bat Mitzvah students