Rabbi Jerry David Cantor Neil Schnitzer Rabbi Geri Newburge  Rabbi Debbie Cohen

Mazel tov on planning this great Simcha! The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is such a fabulous milestone in the Jewish cycle of life. It truly doesn’t get any better. The Bar/ Bat Mitzvah is one of the warmest and most exhilarating ceremonies at Temple Emanuel.  Under the guidance of our Rabbis, Cantor and teachers, our students are fully prepared to lead the Shabbat Morning or Havdalah worship service and read from the Torah. The opportunity to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is available to every Jewish boy or girl and we tailor each service to the ability of the individual. 

We lay the ground work for the B’nai Mitzvah year in the 3rd through 6th grade Religious School years. Hebrew, blessings and prayers hold an important place in their education so they become comfortable, confident and knowledgeable in their Judaism. Approximately one year before their special event they begin working with a tutor on a bi-weekly basis. The Cantor and Rabbis oversee and are integrally involved with every aspect of their training. They are also available to parents who may have questions or concerns. We offer the choice of a morning or Havdalah Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Some Shabbat mornings offer the opportunity for a shared (double) Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Havdalah is always one single child or siblings.

There is an orientation program in the 4th grade and several family programs and learner’s services throughout the 5th and 6th grade years. These enrich the family’s understanding of the significance of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah as well as providing a dynamic forum for dialogue with the Rabbis and Cantor and with each other. There are specially designed social and learning opportunities for our young people after their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, including Confirmation Academy and TEFTY Youth Group, which speak to their development as young adults in the Jewish community and Temple Emanuel.

Cantor Neil Schnitzer works with a student at the Bima in the main sanctuary.

The prayers said or chanted by most of our Bar/BatMitzvah are:

V’ahavta

Avot v’imahot

G’vurot

Sim Shalom

Torah blessings

Haftara blessings

Kiddush

Havdalah

Cantor  Neil Schnitzer   is always happy to speak with you about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience at Temple Emanuel.

Students, preparing for Bar Mitzvah, doing community service at the Jewish Relief Agency.