Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Information about Bar/Bat Mitzvah program

Bar and Bat Mitzvah training is available to member families. The class meets regularly with the Cantor and, as the specific event nears, individual sessions begin. Pre-Bar and Bat Mitzvah students are often asked to participate in the conducting of regular Shabbat morning services as well. Post Bar/Bat Mitzvot often read Torah at congregational services, and participates in leading the High Holy Day Shacharit service.

Guide to the Shabbat Morning Service with mp3 Audio

Required Programs

  • SHABBAT SCHOOL FOR SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS

This program is designed to give students an opportunity to become more familiar with the Saturday morning service with special emphasis placed on the Torah Service and the Torah portion of the week. There will be two sections of Shabbat School of which you can choose the one that is best for your schedule. If your child is scheduled for a fall/winter Bar/Bat Mitzvah, you are advised to enroll him or her in the FALL session. Bar/Bat Mitzvot scheduled for spring and summer are advised to enroll in the SPRING session. All classes are held on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 12:15 in room 124. Contact: Susan Bernstein, ext. 128

  • T’FILLEEN CLASS FOR SIXTH-GRADERS

 One important skill that B’nai Mitzvah need to learn is how to put on t’filleen. These classes will not only give the students practice putting on and taking off t’filleen, but will also cover the significance of t’filleen, when they are worn, how they are made and the blessings connected with them. This instruction will be held four times during Sunday Religious School hours. Dates of the t’filleen instruction will be announced. Students are to meet in their classroom. If students continue to come to a daily service at least once a week and wear t’filleen after the t’filleen class is over, then the synagogue, through the A.E. and Sylvia Rosenberg t’filleen Fund, will present the Bar/Bat Mitzvah with his/her own set of t’filleen at the time of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Contact: Cantor Shivers, ext.116.

  • PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING WITH THE RABBI AND CANTOR

Many questions about the significance, training and logistics of the actual service for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah arise as you begin your planning. You may also have concerns regarding the associated celebrations and family involvement. A special morning of discussion is planned for parents to address some of these topics. Rabbi Isaak and Cantor Shivers will talk about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation and service, and Marci Atkins will be available with information about the event planning. The meeting will be held during the fall of each year on Sunday morning during Religious School hours. Date and time will be announced. Contact: Marci Atkins, ext. 29.

  • PARENTS/STUDENT MEETINGS WITH RABBI ISAAK

During the student’s seventh grade, Rabbi Isaak will meet with parents and students for (three) Wednesday evening sessions from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. His purpose is to begin to get to know each family. He will do some values clarification exercises with you, i.e., what is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah all about and what does it mean to each member of the family. He will define basic terms and respond to any questions. Options for enhancing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony will be discussed. Students will meet with the Rabbi according to their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. A letter of specific dates and locations will be mailed to you. Contact: Marci Atkins, ext. 129.

  • BAR/BAT MITZVAH TRAINING

Cantor Shivers conducts a class that trains students for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, beginning approximately one year before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Students learn the blessings and tropes (melodies) for Torah and Haftarah, and begin working on their own portion. Students then meet individually with the Cantor to continue practicing their own Torah and Haftarah portion and additional service parts. Students enrolled in the class have the option of being paired with a peer tutuor at no extra fee. Students, who have a private adult tutor and wish to continue to study with him/her instead of taking this class, need to contact the Cantor. These students are still required to meet weekly with Cantor during the last two months prior to their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Classes are held in the fall and/or spring on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons. A letter indicating your child’s readiness, complete with dates and fees, will be mailed to you. Contact: Cantor Shivers, ext. 116.

  • RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

All sixth and seventh graders must attend Neveh Shalom Religious School attending a minimum of 3/4ths of all sessions. Sixth graders attend on Saturdays and Sundays. Seventh graders attend on Wednesday evenings. Contact: Susan Bernstein, ext. 128.

  • SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE

Students in 6th grade are expected to attend 10 Shabbat services, either Friday night or Saturday morning. (Shabbat School attendance can be credited to meet this requirement.) Seventh graders are expected to attend 20 Shabbat services. At least half of the services need to be on Shabbat morning (Saturday). Contact: Cantor Shivers, ext. 116.

Optional Programs

  • MITZVAH CLUB

This voluntary two year program is designed to place additional emphasis on mitzvot (commandments) during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Students are expected to perform a minimum of 13 Mitzvot in the areas of Torah (study), Avodah (religious practice), and Gemilut Hasidim (community service). Students meet once a month on Sundays for one hour. Upon completion of the mitzvot, students receive a special presentation at their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. An informational meeting for parents and sixth grade students who are interested in learning more about this program is scheduled early in the fall on a Sunday directly following Religious School. Contact: Rosana Berdichevsky, 503-639-0206.

  • PEER TUTORS

Students can be assigned a peer tutor when they start attending Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training Class. Peer tutors provide positive peer role models as well as individual practice. Peer tutors meet with their students every other week at a mutually convenient time and location. A letter and sign up information will be given to students at one of the first Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training classes with Cantor Shivers. Contact: Marci Atkins, ext. 129.