B’nai Mitzvah

B’nai Mitzvah

For B’nai Mitzvah students, click here for the B’nai Mitzvah Handbook.

Our Jewish Mindfulness Approach

Our Religious School team is moving toward an immersive approach to B’nai Mitzvah training through the integration of Jewish Mindfulness training into B’nai Mitzvah preparation.  B’nai Mitzvah students will be given the opportunity to learn and connect on a deeper and more spiritual level to their particular parashot, Torah blessings, Ashrei, and other prayers in the years leading up to their B’nai Mitzvah. This will allow students time to develop the confidence and competencies necessary for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, and instill an ongoing connection to Jewish life.

Setting Your Date

At Congregation Shaarey Zedek, we are pleased to set the date of your child’s Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah six months after your child’s seventh birthday. Approximately one year before, our B’nai Mitzvah families meet as a group to get acquainted and meet the clergy and the planning team. We provide a personalized handbook for your child with prayers and access to the melodies found in the Audio T’fillah on our website.

To set the date or for more information, please contact Saul Rube at srube@shaareyzedek.org.

Audio Files of Prayers

To access audio files of prayers click the links below.

Community Service Opportunities

We ask our B’nai Mitzvah to perform 12 hours of community service, which they may select from these three categories.

  • Tzedakah – Acts of Righteousness: Donations made by your child to a charity of his or her choice.
  • Avodah – Service to the Synagogue: Your child may volunteer to work in various areas of the synagogue, such as summer camp, the mail room, the school office, the library, by babysitting during Shabbat services, and so on.
  • G’milut Chasadim – Acts of Loving Kindness: This service of performing good deeds to benefit the community at large includes volunteering at Friendship Circle or a JARC home, a food pantry, a nursing home, Yad Ezra, or another venue in the community.

For more information, please contact Marci Iwrey at miwrey@shaareyzedek.org.

There is no one size fits all.

Not every child learns the same way, in school, or in the religious school setting. We have the means to accommodate all special needs or circumstances. We want your child to experience their B’nai Mitzvah in the most meaningful way.  We work with your family to make the B’nai Mitzvah experience one your child will feel comfortable with, and one they will remember with pride.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is written for our school by our Rabbis and Director of Youth and Family Learning. Each grade level has specific goals and learning targets that encompass the following areas:  

Learning and practicing Jewish rituals, holidays, and ethical actions, emphasizing how these observances connect individuals to Jewish tradition and community. 

Fostering a connection to Israel by exploring its geography, history, and significance as the Jewish homeland. 

Centering on learning and understanding Torah stories, characters, and teachings, and applying their lessons to daily life. 

Emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior, acts of kindness (Gemilut Chasadim), and fulfilling obligations like Tzedakah (charity). 

Exploring the meaning and practice of prayer, teaching students how to communicate with God and understand the significance of different prayers. 

Focusing on learning the Hebrew alphabet, vocabulary, and basic reading skills to engage with Jewish texts and prayers. 

Each grade level explores these themes through engaging and age-appropriate lessons. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods and resources, including the Chai Curriculum. 

Staff

We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of professional Jewish educators. Our teachers receive weekly planning time, during which they use our curriculum and learning goals to craft engaging lesson plans. They benefit from regular coaching and feedback from our Director of Youth and Family Learning and participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year. Our educators are passionate about their students and committed to their growth and success.

Family Programs

Throughout the year, we invite families to celebrate with us! Parents, grandparents, and siblings are welcome to join us for special Religious School mornings filled with music, food, and community celebration as we observe holidays such as Sukkot, Tu B’Shevat, and Passover as a school community. Families and students are also encouraged to attend our weekly Shabbat services, where we offer youth activities for children of all ages. Participating in Shabbat helps our students connect their learning and apply it in a congregational setting, fostering a deeper connection to our synagogue community.