Bar and Bat Mitzvah
In Judaism, a child is recognized as an adult at 13 in the rite of passage in which they become a Son or Daughter of the the Commandments. Whether or not there is a ceremony, a thoughtful program of preparation for this period of growth ensures that the lessons learned carry forward long into their adult lives.
This time marks assuming more responsibilities- for themselves, their role in their community and to the world around them. Our tradition teaches, "Aseh l'cha rav, u'kney l'cha chaver..." Find yourself a teacher and acquire yourself a friend. The process of transitioning to adulthood demands an experienced and sensitive guide to the emotional, education and spiritual challenges of the pre-teen years. I have guided hundreds of children in this fashion. Bnei Mitzvah are an opportunity to explore, evoke pride, understanding and ownership of one's Judaism. My carefully crafted program is about process, not performance, guiding a student through a set of meaning-making Mitzvah Projects using personal challenges, confidence-building, self-reflection, meaning-making and personal growth as milestones. I have worked with students without prior knowledge of Hebrew as well as those with some Religious School to read, chant and interpret Torah for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. |
Each student is unique, and my work with each is therefore customized not only in terms of content but also logistics. Preparation timetables vary from 6 months to a year, depending on the student's previous level of Hebrew education. I also offer study support supplemental to or in tandem with that of a congregation. I also offer stand-alone Ceremonies that include the planning and conduct all elements of the service itself.
I am available to help you with thinking through all aspects of the ceremony, from custom prayer books to honors, musical selections and family traditions. When it comes time for the ceremony, a Torah is available and I can lead the service itself. Destination ceremonies require at least 8 months advance notice. For information, please get in touch.
I am available to help you with thinking through all aspects of the ceremony, from custom prayer books to honors, musical selections and family traditions. When it comes time for the ceremony, a Torah is available and I can lead the service itself. Destination ceremonies require at least 8 months advance notice. For information, please get in touch.
Torah is our laws, our stories and history, but more than that, it is our intellectual tradition. Torah is our inherited tradition, not just of sacred writing, but the act of its interpretation to find meaningful lessons for our lives.
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Avodah is worship or service. Our tradition is filled with prayers and ritual that have helped us to live meaningful lives. This area of learning helps us find ways of expressing our gratitude, our prayers and the rituals of our people.
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Gemillut Chasadim means abundant kindness. This aspect of growth concerns the way we relate to those around us and our responsibility to our families, friends, community and even those we don't know. |