Becoming B’Mitzvah — It’s a family achievement!
Mazel tov as you prepare your child to enter into one of the most exciting stops along the journey of our Jewish lives. BHC's B'Mitzvah program ensures that your child is properly trained to lead the congregation in prayer and is ready to take on the responsibilities of being a member of the adult Jewish community. Through the B'Mitzvah program, families and students are connected to each other, to our clergy and educators, to BHC and to Judaism. At BHC, we are committed to making this a wonderful, positive experience for your family. You can expect to hear from us first when your child is in the fifth grade. That’s when the date and portion for your child’s Bar/Bat/B’Mitzvah will be assigned. There will be a B’Mitzvah retreat in the sixth grade, and then a little more than a year before the date of the B’Mitzvah, tutoring will begin.
What is a B’Mitzvah?
B'Mitzvah (gender neutral), Bat Mitzvah (feminine), or Bar Mitzvah (masculine) is a title a Jew earns at the age of thirteen. The title indicates a new status in the Jewish community with accompanying privileges and responsibilities.
To become a B’Mitzvah is to become a son or daughter (or child) of the commandments; that is, one who is obligated to learn about and to observe commandments and Jewish practices as an adult.
The typical B’Mitzvah student at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation leads part of the Shabbat morning or Mincha/afternoon/Havdalah service, chants the Torah and Haftarah portion and teaches a lesson (D’var Torah) to the congregation. Participating in the service is an honor and a privilege, but it is also a challenge, affording students an opportunity to take an adult role in the synagogue and the Jewish community.
B’Mitzvah is a rite of sacred passage — not a culmination. At BHC we view the B’Mitzvah as the ceremonial moment that leads to continued education. The Jewish child is welcomed into the adult Jewish community, marking the next stage in their Jewish studies and continuing toward NextGen and Confirmation <--link to the JLAB & NextGen page. The clergy, teachers and lay leaders at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation stand ready to guide your family through the process leading to your child becoming a B’Mitzvah, and celebrate with you at this simcha. Students who become Bar/Bat/B’ Mitzvah in 8th grade should note that they are expected to remain enrolled in Jewish education through that school year. We hope all our students will continue to engage in formal Jewish study.
My child is approaching B'Mitzvah age. What should I expect?
If your family are members and your student is enrolled in JLAB, we will be in touch about Bat/Bar/B'Mitzvah about two years before their thirteenth birthday. We'll work with you and your student to understand what the process entails, what to expect, and when.
If you are not yet members or your student is not enrolled in JLAB and you're interested in having them pursue B'Mitzvah with us, please fill out this form<--this can be our general interest form, and we'll schedule conversation.
I think I might be interested in becoming a Bat/Bar/B' Mitzvah as an adult. What should I do?
Mazel tov (Congratulations)! Adult B'Mitzvah is a wonderful way to deepen your connection with Judaism and with Torah. We offer Adult B'Mitzvah study on a two-year cycle. The process invites the adult learner to get more proficient in Hebrew, delve deep into a single parsha (portion) and connect more deeply with the shabbat liturgy. Membership at BHC is required. Complete this form and someone will be in touch. <--can be general interest.
