Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program
Bar/Bat Mitzvah can be meaningful only if it takes place within the context of adequate religious education as a preparation for and acceptance of commitments for the future. We require that our Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates shall have completed a minimum of five years of religious school and are enrolled in religious school at the time of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. They are expected to attend a number of Shabbat evening and morning services throughout the year of their pending Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH INSTRUCTION
Bar/Bat Mitzvah training begins approximately ten (10) months before the actual simchah date. Art Wien, Director of the Bnai Mitzvah Program, schedules the Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons. Students will be assigned to tutors under the supervision of Mr. Wien. In addition to prayers and brachot, Torah and Haftarah readings, the students will also be instructed in the use of Tallit and Tefillin. Girls and boys will wear a Tallit on the bimah. All Bnai Mitzvah will participate in our Eternal Light ceremony on the Sunday before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date at 5:30 p.m. All B’nai Mitzvah will come to the daily minyan that begins at 7:45 a.m. on Monday or Thursday morning during the week before their simchah. They will put on Tallit and Tefillin, participate in the minyan, and have a Torah aliyah. All B’nai Mitzvah will chant the Kiddush at the Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat Service that begins at 6:00 p.m. Contact Art Wien at 410-484-0411 or art@bethelbalto.com.