Preparing for your B’nai Mitzvah

For six to nine months, students work individually with the rabbi or another senior member of the community to craft a research paper using primary and secondary sources. After the paper is complete, the student and rabbi work on turning the research paper into an oral presentation for the mitzvah ceremony.

Students also participate in our 13 Values Capstone project, by which they demonstrate an appreciation for the themes of their Jewish education and Jewish humanist values. Students choose 13 values and find their own way to demonstrate them. Values to choose among include Tikkun Olam, Tzedekah, Israel, Culture, Forgiveness, Celebration, Debate, History, Identity, Caring, Reflection, Remembrance, Family, and Justice. For instance, a student might show an appreciation of Culture by cooking a Jewish meal for a holiday or might demonstrate Caring by writing a letter to someone who needs some special attention. 

The mitzvah ceremony itself is crafted by the family using templates of historical and modern readings and is a celebration shared by the congregation, family and friends. Honored family members and close friends are typically invited to participate through readings and blessings. The Beth Chai ceremonies differ from traditional b’nai mitzvot in that we do not include reading from the Torah. 

For more information about the Beth Chai B'nai Mitzvah program, please contact us at info@bethchai.org.