Bar/Bat Mitzvah Standards Page

1. Minimum Age:

The minimum age for Bar/Bat Mitzvah is 13, according to the Jewish calendar.

2. Status:

All candidates for Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be halakhically Jewish, or must become so prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. No formal Bar/Bat Mitzvah training will commence until there is an agreement between the Rabbi and the family regarding the meeting of this standard.

3. Academic Standards:

Candidates for Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be enrolled in an acceptable program of Jewish studies for a minimum of 4 years prior to the beginning of Bar/Bat Mitzvah training. Occasionally a Bar/Bat Mitzvah student may begin this formal training during the Vav year of religious school, however, no ceremony may take place before the completion of the Vav year of religious school. A member of the religious school staff will ascertain the reading proficiency of each student prior to the beginning of formal Bar/Bat Mitzvah training. If their academic abilities are judged to be below standards, remediation may be necessary or the scheduling of the ceremony may have to be postponed. This may mean delaying the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date beyond the thirteenth year. The cost of any private tutoring will be the responsibility of the family.

It is fully expected that each Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate will complete the Zayin year of religious school regardless of the actual date of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Students who transfer into our school from other afternoon schools or who are enrolled in Jewish day schools, must be evaluated by a member of the religious school staff prior to the beginning of individual
Bar/Bat Mitzvah formal training.

4. Preparation Standards:

Candidates for Bar/Bat Mitzvah are required to attend a minimum of one Friday night and one Shabbat morning service per month commencing with the setting of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. One year prior to the ceremony, students are required to attend a minimum of two Friday night services and two Shabbat morning services per month. Furthermore, at least one parent should accompany the student to each service. Extenuating circumstances to this standard must be pre-approved by the Rabbi. It is anticipated that regular attendance at services will enable both the student and the parent(s) to become more familiar with and thus more comfortable with the services in which they will participate.

There are many Shabbatot throughout the year on which there are no scheduled events, and on such occasions, the candidate may have an opportunity to participate in services. Such participation in services will enhance the student’s ability to achieve a high level of proficiency regarding the prayers, order of the service, etc.

Habitual non-attendance at services or lessons, less than satisfactory participation in religious school classes, coming to individual lessons unprepared may result in the suspension of lessons or the postponement or cancellation of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It should be noted that if extra tutoring or lessons are required, parents will be responsible for the costs.

5. Performance Expectations

All Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are expected to participate in both Friday evening and Shabbat morning services. Each student will be provided with a tape of the Friday night and Shabbat morning service to be used as a means of practicing the services during the week. The tape will be distributed approximately six months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Each student is encouraged to lead as much of each service as possible.

Two months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family should contact the gabbai in order to set up time to go over both services to determine the candidate’s level of proficiency. This session date should be three to four weeks prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah thus allowing adequate time for the student to strengthen areas requiring attention. Additionally, this meeting will serve as an appropriate time to go over the aliyah list for family honors, and to generally make certain everything, relative to the services, is in order.

Family/friend honors include: (these honors are available for those who are halakhically Jewish)

a. Shabbat candle lighting (brokha) (more than one person can participate)
b. Open Ark doors on Friday evening (2 persons)
c. Close Ark doors on Friday evening (2 persons)
d. Open Ark doors on Saturday morning (2 persons)
e. Open and close Ark curtain for Torah Service (up to 2 persons)
f. Up to five aliyot (blessings over the Torah), this is in addition to the Maftir (Bar/Bat Mitzvah).
It is our policy to allow a grandmother and grandfather to share an aliyah.
It is also our policy to allow a mother and father to share an aliyah.
g. Hagbah (lift the Torah) (1 person)
h. Gelilah (Wrap the Torah) (1 person)
i. Open and close Ark curtain after Torah Service (up to 2 persons)
j. Close Ark doors on Saturday morning (2 persons)

Please note, that in section f. grandfathers, fathers, sons, and daughters may not follow one another, nor may grandmothers, mothers, sons, and daughters follow one another.

Ushers during services will be provided by the synagogue.

6. Time Line

18-24 months	-12 months	-6 months	-2 months	-3 to 4 weeks
\|	\|	\|	\|	\|
Date picked 18-24 months prior to 13th birthday	Minimum of 2 Friday and 2 Saturday services per month	Individual lessons begin and student receives tape of services	Family schedules meeting with gabbai	Family and student meets with gabbai

Minimum of 1 Friday and 1 Saturday service per month	Family receives call from B/B Mitzvah Coordinator		Approval of (optional) B/B booklet by the Ritual Committee

7. Fee Structure

The fee for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is $250. This covers the cost of trope lessons, service tapes, and any other related expenses. This fee is separate from dues, tuition, and donation given to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund.

8. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator

Description of duties:

Available to answer questions regarding social aspects of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process. It is the responsibility of the coordinator to contact the B/B Mitzvah family 12 months prior to the event. All matters concerning Friday night services, Saturday morning services, or ritual requirements should be directed to the Rabbi or Ritual Committee chair.

Scope:

The coordinator will be knowledgeable in all aspects of the operation of the synagogue pertaining to Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This includes, but is not limited to, questions concerning kashrut, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah time line, how to arrange for time for the use of the kitchen facilities, area function accommodations, event planning, etc.

Procedures

Bimah Etiquette

Friday Night Service .pdf format

Saturday Morning Service .pdf format

Aliyah List .pdf format

Torah Blessings