Today is December 3, 2024 /
Today is December 3, 2024 /
Attend the b’nei mitzvah Information session. Submit service selection form.
Receive bar/bat mitzvah date in the spring.
Receive your B’nei mitzvah Torah and Haftarah portion at a framing activity.
Family BBQ
Start working with the Cantor as part of “Torah Corps”
Engage in sessions with the clergy to learn more about what it means to become b’nei mitzvah.
Start working through the 13 Mitzvot.
Participate in the “World Wide Wrap”
Continue to work with the Cantor as part of “Torah Corps”.
Participate in the “World Wide Wrap”.
Continue to work through the 13 Mitzvot.
Attend services to learn the melodies and rhythms of the service.
We invite parents to accept the honor of being a Shabbat greeter. Participation will increase your comfort with the service, and allow you to interact with fellow congregants. Discover an enjoyable experience in becoming the welcoming face of our community! Please choose a date within the year of your simcha.
Regularly check-in with Rabbi Arnowitz on one’s 13 Mitzvot journey
Begin to plan for a Mitzvah Project with the rabbi if interested.
Begin individual tutoring with the cantor or tutor (if not participating in Torah Corps).
Attend D’var Torah Group Workshop
Plan on when to attend "Build a Blessing" workshop.
Choose your bar/bat mitzvah service greeters. Consider partnering with another family celebrating this year to be greeters at each other’s services. This helps the day run smoothly. For services not on Shabbat morning: Contact Sarah Silver to request that an officer/trustee present the congregation's gifts. (Otherwise, the rabbi will do so). Invite a particular trustee or officer directly if desired.
Discuss siblings’ participation in the service with the cantor.
Guest List. If your child attends WJC Religious School, be considerate and invite either less than half the class, or the whole Religious School class so that peers do not feel left out. (Students enrolled in Jewish Day School or other educational programs should follow their guidance on this matter).
The office will confirm that all synagogue payments are current. If there are any concerns contact Director of Administration Beth Weiss-Dunn or Executive Director David Goldstein.
Room Decorations. Families may order a Bimah floral arrangement directly from a florist of their choice. Otherwise, we will use the WJC silk floral arrangement for the sanctuary. Families may also arrange for flowers for the kiddush. Please let Sarah Silver know of your plans. Some families, in lieu of or in addition to floral arrangements for the Bimah, provide food baskets to distribute to one or more social agencies in our area.
Confirm party plans with the office.
Plan for Kiddush. Notify Sarah Silver if you plan on using an outside caterer for Shabbat morning kiddush and parties, or discuss with Sarah the options for using WJC’s in-house kiddush.
Sisterhood Tree of Life Program - Contact thewjcsisterhood@gmail.com for a leaf and/or speak to Administrative Coordinator Kim Lewis.
Email a .jpeg photo of the bar/bat mitzvah and the 75-word write up to be printed in WJC’s monthly newsletter to Sarah Silver at sarah@wjcenter.org. Please include your child’s name and bar/bat mitzvah date in the subject of the email. No need for the child to introduce him/herself since his/her name will appear in bold directly over the blurb.
Order Kippot and women’s head coverings. Remember to purchase bobby pins or clips as well as a basket if you have a preference.Tallit and Tefillin - Choose and order the tallit for the bar/bat mitzvah. Tefillin is encouraged for boys and girls. Sisterhood members receive a 20% Gift Shop discount.Plan for Shabbat accommodations if needed.D’var Torah - Sarah Silver will reach out to set up meetings with Rabbi Dalton to discuss your child’s D’var Torah.
Programs- Contact Sarah Silver if you wish to create your own descriptive booklets. Otherwise, we will use our standard template.
Party counselors- For evening receptions, WJC will provide security personnel. We strongly recommend that you retain “party counselors” to supervise the activities of the children. You are responsible for any damage to the building resulting from its use for your reception.
Kiddush - Let Sarah Silver know the approximate number of guests and confirm kiddush plans.
Photos - Arrange with Sarah Silver and clergy for photos to be taken during the week in the Sanctuary.
Students will begin practicing their synagogue skills with their tutor (Cantor Goldberg or Cantor Alcott) “on location” in the sanctuary. The goal is to get comfortable with the space, Torah scroll, microphone and other aspects of the sanctuary. If possible, these will occur during the regularly-scheduled tutoring time. If that is not possible, an alternative time can be arranged. Parents are welcome but not required to attend.
Morning Minyan - Speak to Sarah Silver or the clergy to make arrangements for participating in a morning minyan immediately before or after the bar/bat mitzvah day. The clergy can help you borrow or purchase Tefillin.
Honors - Give Cantor Goldberg a list of those being honored and their relationship to the bar/bat mitzvah.
Remember: anyone receiving an honor must be a Jewish adult. Contact Rabbi Arnowitz with questions. Men receiving honors must wear a kippah and tallit. Women receiving honors should wear a head covering and a tallit is an option. Relatives of another faith may accompany Jews who are receiving honors. Review the procedures with those you have chosen to honor.
Inform Sarah Silver of:
Number of guests
Names of guests for security purposes
Reception details
Confirm staged photos in Sanctuary
Candy - Purchase small, soft, Kosher-Parve, individually wrapped candy (we recommend Sunkist Fruit Gems) candy to be thrown in celebration.
Special Accommodations - Notify the office to make any special arrangements
Kiddush “Schnapps” -If desired, purchase a bottle of scotch to be placed with the kiddush wine. If kiddush is catered, remind your caterer that they must provide small shot glasses of kosher wine on a tray.
Havdalah spices and candle (for Mincha/Ma’ariv b’nei mitzvah): Prepare approximately one bag for every two adults. A Havdalah candle can be purchased at the Sisterhood Gift Shop.
If using an outside caterer, make plans for leftover food to be picked up and donated to local agencies on Sunday.
Shabbat Decorum- Actively encourage your and your child’s guests to use appropriate behavior while attending religious services. Their respectful and enthusiastic participation in the service is how they can celebrate you and honor your friendship. Remind them: appropriate dress, no cellphone usage, no smoking, no cameras, no exchange of gifts or money.
Hired Buses-Remind the bus company that rented buses may not enter synagogue property during Shabbat.
Confirm Honors - Give Cantor Goldberg a list of those being honored and their relationship to the bar/bat mitzvah. Remember to include full Hebrew names where indicated.
Things to Bring to WJC:
Kippot, bobby pins or clips, women’s head covering and bobby pins
Candy for throwing
Baskets for above items if desired
Optional customized booklets
Bottle of Scotch if desired (Shabbat morning services only)
Spices and Havdalah candle (Mincha/Ma’ariv service only)
Arrange with Sarah Silver for dropping off items or any other vendors.
Catering- Food deliveries must be completed before 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
Flowers - Flowers must be delivered before 1:00 p.m. Friday, and not removed until after Shabbat. Flowers may only be placed on the far side of the Bimah, not on the steps.
Gratuities - Gratuities for custodial staff are not included in your fees. While optional, they are truly appreciated.
Arrival - bar/bat Mitzvah families arrive ten minutes before services are scheduled to begin. The family usually sits in the front row, on the right side.
Bring:
Your child’s binder for his/her readings
Your child’s D’var Torah (also in the binder)
Talit for the bar/bat mitzvah celebrant and other Jewish adults in your household
Your blessing to share with your child from the bima
Extra list of honors
A bottle of water for your child
Now relax, and enjoy this wonderful and spiritual occasion! Mazel Tov!
Westchester Jewish Center welcomes your contribution to any of our listed funds.
