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B'nei Mitzvah

B'nei Mitzvah

Our warm, close community gives b'nei mitzvah families the opportunity to have a customized experience at KAM Isaiah Israel for this incredible life cycle event. Learners become fuller members of the Jewish community and connect with Torah, community, and God. During the preparation, families create unique relationships with the clergy and benefit from interaction with other b’nei mitzvah families. We value the individuality and diversity of our b’nei mitzvah. We work with learners’ strengths to design rituals that help them thrive and shine through this process.

Our b'nei mitzah handbook helps guide families and learners through the period of study and preparation for the ceremony. The b'nei mitzvah process is intended to help families feel part of our ongoing tradition l'dor vador, from generation to generation. 

Six Points Project

The Six Points curriculum focuses on six areas of Jewish identity for b'nei mitzvah to develop. The six areas are: Atzmut (Self), Chesed (Loving-Kindness), Yisrael (Israel), Limud (Learning), Kehillah (Community), Tefilah (Prayer).

The Six Points Project helps b’nei mitzvah explore multiple ways of being Jewish. Becoming b’nei mitzvah is about more than the Saturday morning service the young person leads and more than the celebration afterward. It is about developing all of the facets of one’s Jewish identity. The Six Points Project guides learners through these areas of Jewish identity. The Shoresh curriculum in 6th-9th grades introduces each of these Six Points in a Jewish text-focused and project-based learning format to allow 6th-9th graders to explore each area.

B’nei mitzvah are encouraged to do their own exploration based on their personal interests and skills. For example, a musician may add Atzmut (Self) elements to their b’nei mitzvah service. An activist may focus on a larger Chesed (Loving-kindness) project leading up to their b’nei mitzvah service.

Timeline

B’nei mitzvah is about celebrating becoming a Jewish adult, a process that neither begins nor ends with the b’nei mitzvah service itself. This timeline pertains to the concrete steps towards becoming b’nei mitzvah and does not include the many components involved in Jewish identity building that children and families engage in before 5th grade.

Preparation for b’nei mitzvah is a gradual process. Practicing prayers and Torah a little at a time several times a week and attending services regularly is the best way to prepare for the b’nei mitzvah service and a meaningful life as a Jewish adult.

  • 2nd-6th grade: Individual 30-minute Hebrew@Home sessions during the school year
  • 4th grade: Family kickoff program and date request process
  • 5th grade: Family program
  • 6th grade: Three-part Saturday family program series with other 6th grade b’nei mitzvah families
  • One year before b’nei mitzvah: Family meeting with clergy
  • 9 months before b’nei mitzvah: Learner begins individual tutoring with Cantor Berger
  • 3 months before b’nei mitzvah: Family meeting with clergy; Learner begins individual meetings with Rabbi Reeves
  • 10 days before b’nei mitzvah: Family rehearsal

B’nei mitzvah service

At KAM Isaiah Israel, b’nei mitzvah are unique depending on the strengths and interests of the learner. All b’nei mitzvah are given challenges to rise to; the specific challenge depends on the specific learner. It is typical for b’nei mitzvah to lead parts of the Saturday morning service in English and in Hebrew; to read or chant from the Torah and be called to the Torah for an aliyah; and to give a d’var Torah (speech). The amount of Torah and/or Haftarah and the number of prayers depends on the learner’s interest and abilities.

Mon, March 27 2023 5 Nisan 5783