The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program at Beth El has been in place for a very long time. Each year some 6-8 young men and women ascend the bimah, conduct a major portion of the service on Friday evening and Saturday morning, read or chant from the Torah and the prophets, offer an explanation of what they have read, and demonstrate a level of commitment to tsedakah, of self-awareness, and of appreciation to their parents and teachers that is very gratifying.
Formal Hebrew study begins in the 4th grade, though Kindergarten – 3rd graders are also exposed to the alphabet and gradually become familiar with the simpler prayers. An hour each Sunday morning, from 4th –7th grades, is spent learning to read Hebrew. Special classes are held in the summer between the 6th and 7th grades to help the students learn the trope signs that teach them how to sing their Torah and Haftarah portions. In the seventh grade, they meet weekly or bi-weekly with the rabbi or another teacher to master all the prayers and materials they are required to know. For those who live a distance from the synagogue, weekly appointments can be arranged before or after religious school on Sunday. Parents also participate in a monthly gathering with all the other families whose children are becoming b’ney mitzvah in that year.
We try very hard to maintain a level of spirituality in the training of our students. We want them to become mentschen—thoughtful, considerate, responsible Jews. We are open to any and all suggestions as to how we can accomplish that.
We can guarantee this: Your child will do well enough to make you proud. And in the process he or she will learn a great deal about our Jewish heritage.
