EDUCATIO NAL PREP

What Does Each Bar & Bat Mitzvah Need to Learn?

Each Bnei Mitzvah ceremony is unique and can be adapted to best suit the child. These aspects of the ceremony are often learned by each student:

Weekly Services

1 Tefilot (Prayers)

2 Torah Reading

3 Haftarah Reading

4 D’var Torah

Attending weekly services is one of the simplest and most often overlooked methods to prepare your child for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This is even more crucial starting two years before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

There is no substitute for frequent exposure to the liturgy, practice with Hebrew, and the support of sitting beside a parent who takes the time to prioritize communal prayer.

Additional Community Learning Opportunities

JYC Families

Discuss all learning options available with JYC leadership.

Children with Learning Differences

KJ will work with you and your family to arrange a meaningful service that is possible for any type of learner.

There are excellent professionals within the KJ and Ramaz community who have significant experience working with children with learning differences. Please contact Rabbi Steinmetz to arrange a meeting to discuss the various possibilities.

Private Tutoring

Parent Child Programs READING TORAH

Many students who are reading from the Torah elect to work with a private tutor to prepare for their ceremony. Others have a family member or family friend who prepares with the student. Frequency and length of this preparation period can vary depending on the child but it is common to begin this process 12 months before the event.

If you would like a private tutor recommendation, Riva Alper is happy to provide an up to date list. Cantor Berson is also available for private instruction. In addition, many tutors will also assist a student with the preparation of a D’var Torah.

WRITING & PRESENTING A D’VAR TORAH

Some students also seek guidance in preparing their D’var Torah. Writing a D’var Torah is often a new and unfamiliar activity for many students, and the presentation of a D’var Torah from a podium to a congregation of people can be daunting. We highly encourage meeting with one of the KJ rabbis to discuss the assigned Torah portion; they are eager to help students with preparing, writing, and delivering a D’var Torah. Ms. Kim Gantz Wexler of the Ramaz Middle School is another person you can contact to work with your child on the delivery of your remarks so they are loud, slow, and clear.

Fathers & Sons Bar Mitzvah Program

• Fathers and sons (6th grade boys) participate in experiential programs to explore what it means to come of age in Judaism.

• Topics to be explored are: Tefillin, Chesed, Shabbat, Torah learning and Prayer.

• Contact Rabbi Laniado at rml@ckj.org

Matan Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program

• Mothers and daughters (5th grade girls) come together to meaningfully engage with Jewish learning and experiences in preparation for B’not Mitzvah.

• Topics of study include: Torah study, women throughout Jewish history, Chesed, Shabbat, and Prayer.

• Contact Rachel Kraus at rachel@ckj.org