B'nai Mitzvah

In Judaism, Bar Mitzvah to whom the commandments apply and Bat Mitzvah  to whom the commandments apply, is the coming of age of a Jewish boy or girl. According to Jewish law, when Jewish children reach the age of maturity (generally thirteen years for boys and twelve for girls) they become responsible for their actions, and "become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah." Prior to this, the child's parents are responsible for the child's adherence to Jewish law and tradition, and after this age, children bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics and are privileged to participate in all areas of Jewish community life.

The occasion of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is marked with the young man or woman being called to read the Torah and/or Haftorah portion at a Sabbath or other service, and give a d'var Torah including a discussion of that week's Torah portion. Precisely what the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student do generally depends on his or her ability.

In order to participate in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, one must be a member of our synagogue, and attend a Hebrew School.  For further details on our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, please contact Cantor David Muchnick at 305-935-0666 or email cantordavid@atjc.org

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