Study, Prayer, and Deeds of Lovingkindness...
are the three traditional aspects of Judaism on which we build our Bar and Bat Mitzvah program.
Many people ask: When does the preparation for Bar and Bat Mitzvah begin at CBT? The first answer is: As soon as parents make the decision that they will have a Jewish home and raise Jewish children. From a synagogue perspective, we see Kindergarten as the introduction to formal and informal education at CBT.
As members of Congregation B’nai Torah, our name literally defines us as “B’nai Torah” – people of Jewish learning in its broadest sense. Therefore, we view B’nai Mitzvah at Congregation B’nai Torah as an educational milestone that is also celebrated as life-cycle event for our young men and women who are thirteen years of age. Becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah at Congregation B’nai Torah is marked as an important rung in the ladder of lifelong Jewish learning, and the beginning of our young adults’ study of Judaism and participation in the Jewish community.
At CBT, Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Offers Students and their Families the Opportunity to:
Build Community
Bar and Bat Mitzvah has traditionally been a life-cycle ceremony that takes place with a learning, praying and caring community. Our innovative Grades 7 and 8 educational program is built on the foundation of building community.
Study Individually
Our in-house Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutor customizes each child’s Bat or Bat Mitzvah experience according the student’s learning style, motivation, and a balance of Hebrew and English study.
Instill Jewish Values
Bar and Bat Mitzvah includes the important component of doing mitzvot – performing good deeds. This takes place both on the family level and as part of the class experience.
Create Jewish Identity
The middle school years are vital in the formation of a young person’s identity. Our B’nai Mitzvah experience aims to go beyond the learning tasks associated with Bar and Bat Mitzvah to supporting each of them in the creation of a positive and enduring Jewish identity.
Be Supported as a Family
Our B’nai Mitzvah staff work as a team in creative collaboration. Together, the rabbi, cantorial soloist, tutor, administrative, faculty in the middle school make certain that the journey of Bar or Bat Mitzvah includes and embraces everyone in the family and extended family -- non-Jewish and Jewish members alike.