B'nai Mitzvah

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is an important moment in the life of every Jewish child. B’nai Mitzvah means children of the commandments, and it is a moment for our children to celebrate their Jewish identities and all that they have learned.

Our goal at SHM is to create B’nai Mitzvah experiences that are an important milestone in a journey of lifelong Jewish learning and growth for our students and their whole family. We believe that both the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service, as well as the months spent preparing for it, are meant to deepen one’s connection to Jewish prayer, Jewish living, and the Jewish community.

Our students begin preparing for their B’nai Mitzvah ceremony about 8 months before the date. Though, really we believe they have been preparing for this moment all their lives, and will draw on their life experiences to inform their mitzvah project - to make the world a better place, their teaching of Torah and Jewish wisdom relevant to their world, and their leading of a personal and joyful service. Our clergy and teachers walk hand-in-hand with our B’nai Mitzvah families as they prepare for this life cycle experience with special workshops, meetings, and tutoring that meets the needs of each family and each student.

For more information about our B’nai Mitzvah program, please contact Rabbi DePaolo (sdepaolo@shmtemple.org), or set up an appointment to come meet in person.