Congregation Beth Israel-Judea

Your Beth Israel-Judea staff is there to help make your bar/bat mitzvah experience the best that it can be. Here's an overview of what each person brings to the whole:

• Approves bar/bat mitzvah dates approximately two years prior to service

• Meets with family approximately one month after student begins tutoring with Cantor or tutor  

• Distributes study materials and translation of Torah portion

• Meets with students for 3-5 lessons (approx 45 minutes each) to work on writing the d’var Torah

• Rehearses with the family (usually on the Wednesday evening prior to the bar/bat mitzvah date)

• Conducts the bar/bat mitzvah service on the scheduled date

Cantor Ellen Schwab –

• Conducts Family Orientations with Rabbi

• Teaches Family Education workshops

• Begins tutoring student six to nine months prior to the bar/bat mitzvah date 

• Lessons (30 minutes/lesson).  Coaches students in Torah, Haftarah and Shabbat prayers

• Teaches “Circles of Success” on Wednesday afternoons to strengthen Hebrew and knowledge of prayers

• Meets with family after date is assigned  

• Guides and mentors students during their bar/bat mitzvah service

• Sings and delivers a special blessing at the service 

Note:  Rabbi and Cantor reserve the right to delay a bar/vat mitzvah date if student is not meeting program requirements. 

• Clarifies Religious School policies and requirements.

• Evaluates student’s Hebrew level of prayer and Hebrew proficiency

• Oversees and advises teacher with the appropriate curriculum and workshops.

• Acts as a liaison to teacher, Cantor, Rabbi and BIJ Staff during this process.

• Teaches Sunday classes. See description of curriculum under “Curriculum” section

• Keeps track of community service projects and hours. 

• Works with Educator and Cantor to produce Family Education workshops.

• Attends bar/bat mitzvah services of students?

• Mail letters to upcoming bar/bat mitzvah families to select date choices

• Work with families to go over BIJ’s bar/bat mitzvah rental policies etc. 

• One year prior to date families will be contacted for Hebrew assessment with Cantor. 

• Schedules meetings and tutoring with Rabbi and Cantor

• Collects Bar/Bat Mitzvah student information: Hebrew name of bar/bat mitzvah student, Hebrew Names for aliyot, names of all participants, name of caterer and menu

• Assists with party room set-up and collects florist, photographer, videographer, caterer etc. from families

• Advertises bar/bat mitzvah date in the weekly J newspaper

• Publishes bar/bat mitzvah bios/pictures in BIJ Bulletin

• Provides bar/bat mitzvah certificates and congregational gifts

• Schedules custodial support for day of event

Creates bar/bat mitzvah program for day of event