Bar/Bat Mitzvah Policy for the 2008-09 Academic Year

The following policy applies to all families with children entering fourth grade and younger. It does not apply to students who have already received a Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.  If your child has studied at a Jewish Day School, or if you are new to Congregation Beth Am, please see p.2.

Celebrating becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Beth Am is an important step towards becoming a knowledgeable Jew. Our B’nai Mitzvah preparation process includes a minimum of four years of study in our Beit Midrash (Hebrew and Judaica) program, as well as individual work with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor and our clergy.

Students prepare to lead a congregational worship service, to chant from the Torah and Haftarah (Prophets) portions of the day, and to teach about the Torah or Prophets portion by writing a D’var Torah or D’var Haftarah. These years of study impart the knowledge, skills and confidence for a successful Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration. Most important, they help our students develop a strong connection to the Beth Am community and lay the foundation for a positive lifelong Jewish identity.

At Congregation Beth Am we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to celebrate becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We know that not all students learn the same way, they do not have the same natural talents or abilities, and they come from very different life experiences. We are committed to working with every student, and to making this event a truly positive and enriching experience for every family.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Requirements

Students become eligible for Bar/Bat Mitzvah upon:

1. Reaching their 13th birthday (in either the Jewish or Gregorian calendar).
   
2. Completion of four years of Hebrew in our Beit Midrash Hebrew program.
   
3. Continuous enrollment in one of our age appropriate Judaica programs for at least four consecutive years (this enrollment may start before Hebrew School, but must also be concurrent with the years of Hebrew School attendance). In addition, attendance in one of our Judaica programs is required for the entire school year in which a child becomes Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
   
4. Family participation in Tzavta, our 6th grade family B’nai Mitzvah program.
   
   

Jewish Day School students may waive our Hebrew and Judaica requirement, although Judaica attendance helps students make friends in the Beth Am community. Tzavta is still required.

For families new to the area, enrollment in another accredited Hebrew and Judaica program (in another synagogue) for the requisite years will be accepted toward Beth Am’s three year requirement.