Bar & Bat Mitzvah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a special time in a child’s life as s/he makes the transition to adulthood. It is also a time for your entire family to 
reconnect or to develop a relationship with the Jewish community. It is a time for the whole community to celebrate and welcome a new “adult member” to the Jewish world. It is a time for study, demonstrating commitment to Torah and the Jewish people, and for celebration. On the day of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration at PSJC, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be called to the Torah for an aliyah, read the maftir portion from the Torah, chant the Haftorah, and share a teaching in the form of a D’var Torah. B’nai Mitzvah are also encouraged to lead parts of the service.
The Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony can take place either on Shabbat morning or at mincha (the afternoon service) on Shabbat. In January of the 5th grade year, students and parents will attend a meeting to discuss the date selection process for Bar and Bat Mitzvah at PSJC as well as various options and opportunities for this celebration.
The PSJC Shaarei Mitzvah program is an opportunity for the bnai mitzvah students and their families to create connections and explore the themes of becoming a bnai mitzvah. Beginning in the spring of the 6th grade, Shaarei Mitzvah events include student only programs, as well as family programs, and provide an integrated experiential education opportunity for students in the Hebrew School as well. Click here for information on PSJC Shaarei Mitzvah.
Bnai Mitzvah Planning Resources
Bnai Mitzvah Guidebook PSJC Kiddush Policy
Coming Soon!
Bnai Mitzvah Checklist Bnai Mitzvah Family Honors List PSJC Bnai Mitzvah Registration Form Guide to Picking a Bnai Mitzvah Tutor
Naomi Heffez
January 6
Julia Gottesman
January 27 (Mincha)
Sam Lauricella
February 3
Asher Josephson
March 3
Elan Rabiner
March 10 (Mincha)
Isabel Reiner
March 17
Ava Barash
March 17 (Mincha)
Gabrielle Mollin
March 24
Miranda Medintz
April 14
Banjo Sande
Elijah Slarskey
May 5
Sidney Blumenfeld
June 9
Bobbi Meyerson
June 16 (Mincha)
Lena Gutman
June 23
Isaac Tepper
June 30
Rami and Noa Sadovnik
September 8
Leila Dickman
September 15
Laila Pollack
September 29
Ella Jasie
October 6
Milo Shaklan
October 13
Phoebe Franklin
November 3
Preparation
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a recognition of the moment when a Jewish child reaches a certain level of maturity and understanding about Jewish life. As such, in addition to halachic requirements (i.e. that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be Jewish according to the standards of the Conservative movement and have reached his/her 13th birthday according to the Jewish calendar), we ask that each Bar/Bat Mitzvah has attended religious school (in our Hebrew School or in a program acceptable to the Rabbi) for a minimum of five years.
We also feel it is important for B’nai Mitzvah and their families to be a part of the larger PSJC community. Therefore, we ordinarily ask that families be members of PSJC for two years prior to the celebration of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
In order to become familiar with the basic outline of Shabbat morning services and the life of the synagogue community, B’nai Mitzvah students (along with an adult family member) should attend services either at Junior Congregation or the main service at least 30 times during the two years prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah, with at least half of those times being in the main sanctuary.
A few months prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah, students will meet with the rabbi to prepare a D’var Torah. It’s never too early, though, to begin studying one’s Torah portion! The Rabbi also works with individuals to discuss ways you and your family and friends can participate more fully in the service on the day of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. From reading Torah, leading parts of services, creating readings, there are many opportunities to participate. Rabbi Carter is also happy to walk through the service with you to help you and your family better understand service itself. A child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a wonderful opportunity for all in the family to learn.
Tutoring
Rabbi Carter will happily assist a family in finding a suitable tutor to help prepare for this day. PSJC tutors range in experience and skills and can work with students to learn their haftarah, Torah reading, elements of the service, and supplementary Jewish knowledge. Families arrange fees and tutoring schedule on a one-on-one basis with their tutor.
Financial Obligations
There is a $600 Bar/Bat Mitzvah fee. This covers meetings with the rabbi, the B’nai Mitzvah coordinator, use of the synagogue, and the Sha’arei Mitzvah program. As this is a community celebration, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is expected to sponsor kiddush for the community after services in celebration of the event. This should be arranged through the office.
Mitzvah Project
Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not only about counting in a minyan or being able to participate more fully in the ritual life of the community. It is about taking on a personal obligation to live as a Jew in every aspect of one's life. Mitzvot are not only about ritual behavior, but ethical responsibility as well. In addition to participation in Shabbat services and teaching through a dvar Torah, students are asked to create a personal mitzvah project. Through this project they can give something to the broader community at the moment of taking the first steps as an adult member of the PSJC community. These acts of Tzedakah and Gemilut Hasadim mark a personal commitment to making mitzvot an integral part of a student's life. Some examples of past Mitzvah Project organizations include: Wells Bring Hope, AJWS, Peace Passers, and Charity Water.