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Home > Programs & Learning > B'nai Mitzvah Programs

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program at SZBE

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program at SZBE

Goal of Program:
Develop educated Jews with Jewish skills and knowledge who can participate and feel comfortable in every Jewish setting.
 
Why SZBE’s B’nai Mitzvah Program is Unique:
  • Personalized & individualized: designed to highlight the strengths of each child, strong personal relationships with clergy and cohort, greater personal attention.
  • Connects Bar/Bat Mitzvah to the SZBE community and the Jewish community at large.
  • Skill-based: learn to chant Torah and Haftarah, participate and lead services.
  • Encouraging curiosity & critical thinking: students are encouraged to be curious and ask hard questions.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training Information:
  • Bar/Bat Mitzvah training taught by the Ritual Director, Asher Tannenbaum.
  • Rabbi Adam Rubin meets with each student 1-on-1 to guide them in writing their D’var Torah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lessons:
  • start usually a year before the simcha.
  • are weekly, for a half hour,
  • are 1-on-1,
  • are preferably in person; however, there are possibilities to do some lessons on Zoom (hybrid),
  • are inclusive and individualized to the child’s needs to ensure a meaningful experience for your family.
Options for Bar/Bat Mitzvah service:
 
  1.  Shabbat morning: Required to read the Maftir, Haftarah and deliver a short d’var torah in English. Opportunity to do extra reading if student/parents would like.
  2. Saturday Mincha/Maariv Havdalah event: Torah reading, chant Havdalah, deliver D’var Torah and lead both services - Mincha/Maariv. 
  3. Weekday Monday, Thursday or Rosh Chodesh morning: Torah reading, dvar torah and opportunity to lead parts of the service.
  4. For girls, option to do group Bat Mitzvah with 2-6 girls.
 
The B'nai Mitzvah Club (BMC)
 
The B’nai Mitzvah Club (BMC) is a great opportunity for your child to:
  • meet like-minded Jewish tweens,
  • learn valuable leadership skills,
  • engage in volunteering within the Jewish community,
  • connect their interests to Jewish tradition and culture.
Format: combination of service learning in the Jewish community & experiential learning on Jewish holidays, history and traditions. Led by Cantor Adam Stotland.
 
Potential volunteer Opportunities
  • MADA Centre: Prepare meals, learn about food insecurity and the mitzvah of tzedakah
  • Friendship Circle: learn about inclusion and the mitzvah of v’ahavta l’re’eicha k’mocha (love your neighbour as yourself) by participating in activities with kids and tweens with special needs.
  • Waldorf Residence: visit with senior residents and learn about the mitzvot of bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) and lifnei seiva ta’kum (honouring our elders).
  • Federation CJA’s PJ Library: help younger kids learn about Jewish holidays, history and traditions through leading fun activities.
  • PACE Project Farm: Learn about Jewish agricultural and environmental mitzvot while doing hands-on work on a Jewish farm.
Experiential Jewish Learning:
  • Participate/assist in family services for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
  • Pizza in the Hut for Sukkot
  • Chanukah latke-making competition
  • Make mishloach manot for Purim
  • Visit Holocaust Museum for Yom HaShoah
  • Participating/assisting in a few Shabbat morning services
 
Group Bat Mitzvah Club:
 
Designed for girls ages 10-12. The Bat Mitzvah Club aims to:
  • Empower them to discover their Jewish identity through engaging sessions focused on Jewish holidays, history and traditions.
  • Provide a comprehensive and inclusive Bat Mitzvah experience, celebrating the unique journey of each participant.
  • Celebrate the role of women in Judaism.
Join the SZBE clergy, Morah Emily, and other guest facilitators from the community.
 
Program Highlights:
  • Music with Cantor Stotland: Engaging musical sessions that connect participants to Jewish culture and ritual.
  • Tour of the Mikvah: Educational visit to the Mikvah to understand its significance in Jewish life.
  • Learn Shabbat Customs:
    • Candle Making: Creative sessions where participants make their own candles for Shabbat. Learn about the history of this beautiful ritual.
    • Mother-Daughter Challah Bake: A hands-on activity where participants learn the mitzvah of challah.
  • Learn about the major holidays through hands on activities
  • Learn About Iconic Jewish Women: Educational sessions focusing on influential Jewish women in the Torah and history. 
  • Strengthening Connection to Israel (Ahavat Israel): Activities and discussions that foster a deep connection to Israel and love for the Jewish people.
Interested in learning more about the B'nai Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah Clubs?
 
Cantor Adam Stotland
Phone: (514) 481 - 7727 ext. 230
Email: adam.stotland@szbe.org or programming2@szbe.org
 
Ready to book a date for your simcha?
 
Contact Asher Tannenbaum, Ritual Director
Phone: (514) 481- 7727 ext. 237
Email: asher.tannenbaum@szbe.org
 
And 
Rosanne Puritz, Office Manager
Phone: (514) 481 - 7727 ext. 225
Email: rosanne.puritz@szbe.org
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sun, 15 June 2025 19 Sivan 5785