The Rabbis teach that Torah was given down in fire, and in fire it is to be transmitted. During our Bnei Mitzvah Program we try to recapture the intensity of that fire, and to strive to understand what message the Torah has for us today. We teach our students to question, to wrestle, and to fall in love with Torah, finding their own voices among the rabbis of our tradition.
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah marks an important step in the spiritual journey of a Jewish child. This rite of passage indicates that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student is ready to acquire a more mature understanding of Judaism as a way of life and to assume greater responsibilities. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an affirmation of the traditional Covenant between God and the Jewish people. At birth, with Brit Milah, or the baby naming ceremony, the parents assume the responsibility of teaching their child the meaning of this Covenant in the child’s life. With Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the child and the parent jointly reaffirm this commitment to the Jewish people. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony links our children with the “Chain of Tradition” passed on “Dor L’Dor” ‑ from Generation to Generation
The process of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not easy. As you already know, it requires years of study and practice. Yet, Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an age, not an event. It is a status that you achieve by becoming thirteen. Yet here at Shomrei Torah we encourage our Bnei Mitzvah students to to lead a service, study and teach Torah, and participate in a mitzvah project.
Preparing to lead the service is an obvious goal of our study program. Our tutors will continue to build upon the groundwork established within our Religious School program. Bnei Mitzvah students will learn to lead prayers with pride, and inspire our congregation through prayer. We hope to deepen your Hebrew skills and comfort with liturgy so that you might be more comfortable in any Jewish prayer service you attend. 
Finally, our hope is that through this process your entire family feels embraced by our temple community. It is a privilege and joy for our Rabbis and tutors to be able to spend this private time with you. We treasure this opportunity to share in this life cycle event with you. Our doors are always open, please don’t hesitate to call with questions.
May it be filled with blessings and love, a sense of accomplishment and pride, and a beginning to many days of Jewish Learning.
The B’nei Mitzvah Training Program Before Entering The B’nei Mitzvah Program
Requirements and Expectations Cost Projections History of Bar and Bat Mitzvah