Bat/Bar/B'nai Mitzvah is the Jewish rite of passage through which a young adult demonstrates their preparedness and commitment to take on the responsibilities of a Jewish adult and a member of our congregation. The process of becoming a B'nai Mitzvah at Congregation Emanuel is reflective of the energy and intention of our congregation: open, welcoming, questioning, rigorous, diverse, inclusive, and so very, very joyful.
Becoming a B'nai mitzvah is both a mile marker celebrating all the preparation and commitment to community, ritual, and growth, as well as a beginning, a gateway into Jewish adulthood.
During the two years prior to becoming Bat/Bar/B'nai Mitzvah the student:
- Attends courses on Jewish history and culture, ritual and prayer, and Hebrew.
- Actively participates in Shabbat and Holiday services with their family.
- Creates a Tikkun Olam project.
- Participates in regular, ongoing private Torah study with the Rabbi.
- Learns portions of Torah, Haftorah, and the Shabbat service through study with their tutor and in religious school.
The years of study culminate in a Shabbat ceremony in which the Bat/Bar Mitzvah is called to the Torah, reads Torah and Haftorah, participates by helping to lead the service, and delivers a derasha (teaching) on the meaning of the weekly Torah portion.