Bet Mitzvah Studies

At Temple Sholom we seek to build a love and appreciation for the Jewish religion among our Bet Mitzvah students, and we encourage a deeper participation in the Jewish community – both within and outside the congregation. We seek to instill acceptance of responsibility for mitzvot and a commitment to lifelong Jewish learning.

To become a Bet Mitzvah, students must complete 13 hours of g’milut chasadim (deeds of loving-kindness), participate in a minimum number of Shabbat and holiday services, and complete a mitzvah project. In addition to learning how to read from the Torah, each child will learn how to lead Temple Sholom’s Shabbat services and will participate in at least one annual grade-level Shabbat service for the entire congregation. The Rabbi and Cantor are available to assist students and parents in all stages of preparation of the service, including weekly private tutoring with the Cantor.

Parents of a child with special needs should meet with the Rabbi, Cantor, and Religious School Director of Education to discuss special arrangements to tailor the preparation and service to their child’s ability. See our Al Pi Darko page for more information.

Our goal is to engage families, to encourage deeper involvement, and/or to make the ceremony and the process more meaningful to the families involved. The ritual with which they mark becoming a bar or bat mitzvah should be enjoyable and meaningful so that we pass on a more meaningful Jewish experience to the next generation. If you’re interested in exploring options, please contact the Rabbi. We look forward to learning, dreaming, and creating with you!