Bar

Bar & Bat Mitzvah

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Requirements:
Individual Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lessons: Conducted as necessary by Rabbi Donald Roberts.

FOR THE CHILD:

To be eligible for Bar/Bat Mitzvah training at Temple Beth El, your child:

1. Must have attended and satisfied the requirements for Religious School for at least three years. This requirement may have been satisfied at another synagogue prior to relocation here.

In the event your child has not attended and satisfied the three-year Religious School requirement at the time you decide on Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, you have two options:

a) To enroll your child in Religious School for three years, delaying Bar/Bat Mitzvah training until such time as he/she has become eligible. This is meant to allow your child sufficient time to understand what this life event means and to develop the necessary skills to prepare to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

b) To commit to membership for three years after Bar/Bat mitzvah, so as to instill in your child the understanding that Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not the end of Jewish life and learning, but is but one step along the way. This commitment on your part will include prepayment of dues for two years of the three, the balance to be paid before expiration of the three years.

2. Must attend special sessions for training not provided during class time. This includes working with the Rabbi to prepare for the service and to write a D’Var Torah (a word of Torah) on a theme from the weekly Torah reading.

3. Must attend at least 6 Friday evening and 10 Saturday morning services beginning one year prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.

FOR THE PARENTS:

1. All outstanding financial obligations to Temple Beth El must be met two weeks prior to the Simcha.

2. The family is to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat on Friday night and the kiddush following Shabbat morning Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Please consult with the Rabbi for approved Kosher products to be used.

3. You are strongly encouraged to set a positive example and attend Shabbat services with your child.