B’nai Mitzvah

Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an exciting time in the lives of our members and the life of our community. When our students become a Bar/Bat 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 bar/bat 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 for their service. They will work with the cantor on the leading of prayers and will practice 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.

Learn more at https://temple-isaiah.org/education/bnai-mitzvah/

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.