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Beit Midrash -- House of Study -- Program

Information for Parents and B’nei Mitzvah Students

In their B’nei Mitzvah journey to adulthood in the Jewish community, students attend weekly Beit Midrash class sessions to learn the ins and outs of the Saturday morning Shabbat Service, preparing to lead us in prayer.

Sunday mornings include t'filah, a shortened version of the Shabbat service, which concludes with a Q & A session led by that week’s B’nei Mitzvah students. During t'filah, students are welcome to use transliterated prayer books, practice wearing tallitot and become comfortable with the Shabbat prayers in a low-pressure setting with their peers.

After t'filah, we transition to the classroom portion of the class. A member of the Beit Midrash Staff (usually Cantor Jaime Shpall) teaches a short lesson which centers on a different part of the service each week, and then the students use the remainder of the class time to practice their prayers individually and in small groups.

This “study hall” is moderated by the Beit Midrash staff, which includes B’nei Mitzvah tutors, Madrichim (teen helpers) and Cantor Shpall. One or more staff members sit at each table of students, keeping the practicing on track and signing off on completed prayers.

By learning the Shabbat morning prayers in a group class, we hope that students in their B’nei Mitzvah year will continue to strengthen the bonds they’ve formed in Youth Education Programs at Congregation Beth Am. Students are encouraged to support each other in the journey to adulthood, attending each other's Bar and Bat Mitzvah services and celebrating the simchah in community.

Please stay tuned for information on Beit Midrash meeting dates and times.

Contact: Cantor Jaime Shpall

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784