Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program

We offer a meaningful secular Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah (i.e., Bas Mitzvah) Program.  The term B'nai Mitzvot is the plural form, and our congregation has had many B'nai Mitzvot.  If you are looking for a Humanistic Bar Mitzvah or a Humanistic Bat Mitzvah, you have come to the right place.

The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program involves seven required tasks and six elective tasks to prepare each child for this important life cycle event.  A Mentor will be assigned to assist the family and keep the child on an agreed to schedule.   

Required Tasks

1. EXPLORING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY  Meet and talk to two people who represent the Jewish community:  Anti-Defamation League, B’nai Brith, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation, Hadassah, etc.  Gather their brochures and write a report on what service they offer the community.

2. HISTORY OF THE JEWS  Read a book or watch a video and write a report.

3. ISRAEL  Write a 2 to 4 page report on a subject of your choice:  history, origins of the people, pioneers, diversity, previous wars with Arab neighbors, current Palestinian conflict, etc.

4. JEWISH DENOMINATIONS  Attend a service or become familiar with the 5 branches of Judaism:  Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstruction and Humanistic.

5. JEWISH HERO  List the reason and qualifications of your choice.  Write a book report on this person and prepare a speech for our celebration, include the qualities of character this person has or had that make him or her a hero and made you admire and want to be like this person.  What were the circumstances and what heroic qualities did this person have to rise above and overcome the obstacles they faced.  This is a major part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.

6. JEWISH SERVICE Perform 15 hours of service in a facility such as a school, nursing home, senior citizens facility, helping the Jewish community.  Write about your duties and how it made you feel.

7. UNDERSTANDING HUMANISTIC JUDAISM  Read a book or see a video of Rabbi Sherwin Wine.  Explain the philosophy of Humanistic Judaism.

Elective Tasks – 6 for a total of 13

1. ART  Create a piece of art on a Jewish theme:  Menorah, Jewish symbol, Seder Plate, challah cover, Hebrew letters.  It can be in crayon, ink, paint, pencil, charcoal, a sculpture, a photograph, a montage or other medium.

2. FAMILY  Prepare a family tree for at least three generations.  Find out about their occupations, personal lives and where they lived.

3. FIELD TRIP Visit a Jewish museum such as the Skirball,  Museum of Tolerance, Holocaust Museum, Jewish Children’s Discovery Place.  What was your first reaction and what were the highlights of the trip.  Write a 2 to 4 page report.

4. FOOD  Plan, shop for and prepare a typical Jewish holiday meal for your family.  Write out the menu and the response of the family.

5. HUMANISTIC CELEBRATION  Attend and participate in a holiday celebration, life cycle event, service or educational event.

6. JEWISH THEME  Research and write a report on a Jewish theme of your choice:  anti-Semitism, pioneers, historical figures, Jewish humor, history of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah, the Holocaust, immigration to America, American Jewish politicians, artists, musicians, athletes, etc.

7. LITERATURE  Read a book by a Jewish author or on a Jewish subject.  Prepare a 3 to 4 page book report.

8. MUSIC AND DRAMA  Attend a performance telling a Jewish story or reflecting a Jewish value:  a film, video, theater concert.  Write a report or record your experience on tape.

9. PERFORMANCE ON A JEWISH THEME  Using any instrument (camera, video slides, poetry, story, etc.) show an example of your theme.

10. TORAH PORTION  Read the English or Hebrew versions of your birthday week’s Torah portion.  Understand how the Hebrew calendar works.  Tell the cultural background of the portion and what value or lesson it is trying to convey.

11. YIDDISH or LADINO  From a list of Yiddish or Ladino words and definitions given to you, write a story in English including at least 15 Yiddish or Ladino words.