Becoming B’nai Mitzvah is an exciting process that requires a great deal of preparation. Some events happen as a class cohort and some involve just the student and their family. See below for the full timeline:

Family receives B’nai Mitzvah date. Date is confirmed by the synagogue office upon receipt of first installation of B’nai Mitzvah fee.

Families attend class cohort programs to connect with other families sharing this experience. These include, but are not limited to:

• Sixth Grade Kickoff– Fall event to introduce the B’nai Mitzvah process. (Second installation of B’nai Mitzvah fee due)
• Matan Parashah– Special ceremony during a Shabbat in the winter, when students receive personal siddurim, their Torah/Haftarah booklets, and a special blessing based on their Torah portion.
• B’nai Mitzvah Talk Back– Group attendance at a B’nai Mitzvah service – usually a Saturday morning in the spring, followed by lunch and discussion to understand the flow of a Shabbat service at Beth David, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

• Family meeting with Cantor
• B’nai Mitzvah candidate will be assessed (in a friendly manner) individually by the Cantor on their prayer skills (may occur the same day of family meeting) and a tutorial plan will be made accordingly
• B’nai Mitzvah candidate decides on Mitzvah project

• B’nai Mitzvah candidate will begin weekly 30 min private tutoring sessions
• Family contacts Executive Director to make arrangements, if desired, to use the Beth David facilities for a meal or party

• B’nai Mitzvah candidate begins monthly check-ins with the Cantor for Torah & Haftarah (4 meetings total)

• Family meeting with Rabbi
• B’nai Mitzvah candidate begins meeting with Rabbi to begin writing D’var Torah (4 meetings total)

• Family asks board member to sit on the bimah for Saturday service
• If desired, family contacts Vid-Tel Video Services to secure date for filming service – see VidTel Form

• Executive Director contacts parents to finalizeall non-ritual logistics
• Family meets with Cantor to go over the Honors Form.

• Student and family participate in final rehearsal in the Sanctuary – bring all materials, print out speech, and don’t forget the shoes you plan to wear!

• Family attends services and the B’nai Mitzvah candidate leads Kiddush (the Shabbat blessing over grape juice or wine) and Motzi (the prayer for the bread or challah).
• Get lots of sleep that night!

• Family arrives early, excited, and ready for a wonderful day! (with all materials)
• Some families take pictures before services, from 9-10 am (must be coordinated in advance with Executive Director)
• Private family huddle, including tallit blessing and shehecheyanu begins at 10:15
• Services begin at 10:30 in the sanctuary