B’nai Mitzvah

Lisa Duncan Photography

Becoming B’nai Mitzvah is an exciting time in the lives of our members and the life of our community. When our students become B’nai Mitzvah, they are, in essence, saying that they are ready to take on the responsibilities of being a knowledgeable, responsible Jew. They are invited to lead the service, chant from the Torah and the Haftarah (the prophetic reading), and write and deliver a D’var Torah, a teaching from their Torah portion. This is truly a moment to celebrate. At Temple Isaiah, we revel in the fact that another young person has taken on our traditions and teachings for him/herself. 

While the students receive the date of the B’nai Mitzvah service in 5th grade, their formal preparation begins approximately 7 months in advance. This preparation process is as meaningful an experience as the service itself. Our students study diligently for 6-7 months prior to their service with a B’nai Mitzvah tutor, studying principally their Torah and Haftarah portions. Students spend the last 6-8 weeks prior to their service studying with the rabbi and cantor. They will work with the rabbi carefully studying their Torah portion and will prepare a teaching to share with the congregation the morning of their service. They will work with the cantor on the leading of prayers and will practice in the sanctuary chanting from the Torah scrolls.

We are a community blessed with an abundance of young people becoming B’nai Mitzvah. Often two students become B’nai Mitzvah at the same Shabbat service. Our students feel a great sense of confidence and community as they share the bimah with a classmate. It is through these shared lifecycle events that Temple Isaiah is strengthened as a synagogue and as a community.

If you have other questions regarding the B’nai Mitzvah process, please contact Cantor Korn at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (925) 283-8575.