B'Nai Mitzvah
Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a major event in the life of a Jew. To become a "Son/Daughter of the Commandments" is to be counted amongst the adults of the Jewish Community and to take upon oneself the responsibilities of the Jewish mission of "tikkun olam" perfecting the world. These responsibilities commence at thirteen years of age for boys and twelve years of age for girls, as our children begin their journey into the world of adulthood.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony allows family, friends and the community to share in your child's "coming of age" in the eyes of the Jewish community. It also provides the opportunity for each student to demonstrate an ability to function as a literate Jew, meaning that he/she is able to participate in our religious services as well as chant from the Torah and Haftorah. As a further measure of passage into adulthood, each young person is asked to assume the role of teacher by delivering a speech that he/she has composed, interpreting the Torah portion or Haftorah with personal insights and observations.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony allows family, friends and the community to share in your child's "coming of age" in the eyes of the Jewish community. It also provides the opportunity for each student to demonstrate an ability to function as a literate Jew, meaning that he/she is able to participate in our religious services as well as chant from the Torah and Haftorah. As a further measure of passage into adulthood, each young person is asked to assume the role of teacher by delivering a speech that he/she has composed, interpreting the Torah portion or Haftorah with personal insights and observations.
Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is part of the greater process of Jewish education and maturation. Nothing magical happens to the child on the day; he is not “Bar Mitzvahed” nor is she “Bat Mitzvahed”. What hopefully occurs is that the child becomes committed to the process of becoming a Jew in the fullest sense of the word. For that to occur, we believe that several elements must be present:
Becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah should not be seen as the end of a child’s formal religious education. At the Avenutra Turnberry Jewish Center, we encourage our students to attend our Hebrew High program. We believe that only in this context can becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah assume its proper role and significance. In this way, our children can have the best opportunity to grow up as dedicated and committed Jews and human beings. | Considering a Bar/Bat Mitvzah in Israel?
Contact the synagogue office for further details.  Is Your Child Ready?
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