“The Bat Mitzvah experience was transformative for the entire family and we continue to notice ways in which we have all grown.”
“The Bar/Bat Mitzvah year was a ”peak experience”, right up there with our children’s births, graduations, and our marriage ceremony. It was an emotional time of great excitement, pride and joy, an uplifting time of “floating on a cloud,” an intense immersion in study, practice, interpretation, reading and writing. It was a unique undertaking when alongside the normal activities of daily life, a powerful spiritual and intellectual journey gradually took shape, took on a life of its own and culminated in the sanctuary on the “Big Day,” when everything we learned and discovered was presented publicly and shared with our community.”
“I was surprised by how meaningful the Bar Mitzvah was to my child. The year he spent preparing to lead the service and chant Torah made him reflect on his Jewish identity and faith. It definitely marked a transition from childhood to adolescence. The service and celebration had great meaning for our family and friends. It was truly a joyous occasion.”
“Our family has been through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program twice at BIJ. And we still have one more to go! In both cases, and with VERY different kids, the process was successful in transforming them from religious school students into “real” members of the synagogue community. They learned the Shabbat morning service and were able to lead it confidently from the bimah. They began forming relationships with our clergy, staff and other synagogue members. They developed an understanding of their place in the immediate and global Jewish community and of the part that their Bar/Bat Mitzvah played in the rhythm of Jewish life. In all, our entire family found the process to be energizing, transformative and enriching!”
“My daughter’s experience in the bar/bat mitzvah program was amazing - both for her individually and for us as a family. The weekly lessons, the family workshops, learning to chant Torah, doing some mitzvah projects and on and on – and being welcomed into the community as an adult and being a leader for the day of her ceremony - it was an incredible experience for her - one that she will always remember. It was her way to step through the gate of teen / adult - not really matched in other cultures...at least not locally”.
“The entire Bar/Bat Mitzvah year and service were tremendously transforming for our daughter. It was her life passage into adult Judaism and she shined. Since then she has had a very deep connection and commitment to Judaism and to Israel even though none of us really ever went regularly to Temple. The bat mitzvah came through as a year of true awe, inspiration and dedication. It was a time to celebrate everything that matters, family, soul, spirit and God, and sending our daughter off into the world in the most valuable way I could imagine. And the service was so touching for everyone who came; beyond my wildest imagination.”