Bar / Bat Mitzvah

“B'nei Mitzvah” is a noun. It refers to a person who has become responsible for the mitzvot, the commandments or imperatives of Jewish life. When a child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish community will begin to see them more as an adult and less as a child. They will be counted in a minyan, will be eligible to be called for an aliyah (to go up) to the Torah, and will be expected to make thoughtful choices about the mitzvot of daily life. One of the important mitzvot concerns the continuation of their Jewish education in the post-B’nai Mitzvah program, including Kabbalat Torah (Confirmation) after 10th grade and culminating with graduation after twelfth grade. By continuing their Jewish education, they can continue to explore on a more mature level what it means to live a Jewish life.

MITZVAH PROJECT
Becoming a B’nai Mitzvah is about taking on Jewish responsibilities and assuming new privileges. Mitzvot are the responsibilities or imperatives that adults accept in relation to themselves, others, and God. Thus, an important part of preparing to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah at CBI is to become involved in a particular mitzvah as a personal project prior to the celebration. The project must fulfill some Jewish ethical, moral, or ritual obligation, and should be undertaken approximately one year before the B’nai Mitzvah date and be sustained over the course of a year.

SIXTH GRADE FAMILY RETREAT
This full day family program offers creative worship, an introduction to the Midrash process, study on the theme of B’nai Mitzvah, and more. The intention for this program is to help children and parents explore the meaning of B’nai Mitzvah together, while providing an opportunity for the sixth grade class to get to know one another in greater depth as they look forward to the coming year.

For more detailed information please refer to our Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide.