B’nei Mitzvah

Congratulations! You and your child have started the b’nei mitzvah journey at the Westchester Jewish Center.

A child becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is a sacred moment in the life of your entire family and in the life of the greater Westchester Jewish Center community. Your child, after many years of preparation, will step forward to take adult responsibilities in the context of our Jewish community. These responsibilities will touch on the three pillars of Jewish practice:

Torah (sacred study): Your child will study the day’s Torah portion and prepare a speech addressing its meaning.
Avodah (sacred service): Your child will lead the congregation in prayer and chant Torah and/or Haftarah.
G’milut Hasadim (acts of kindness): Your child begins or continues giving back to the community by helping people in need.

The procedures described in this guide will help your child reach this momentous and sacred day that marks the beginning of the process of becoming an adult.

The year leading up to the bar or bat mitzvah ceremony is full of lots of details and decisions. When things feel stressful, confusing, or overwhelming, take a moment to remember how amazing it is that your child is growing up and learning to take on more responsibilities. All of your and your child’s efforts will result in a moving, joyous and memorable experience.

You can model for your child a positive attitude toward preparation that focuses on the spiritual meaning of the occasion and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take one’s place as an adult in the Jewish community and tradition.

We hope that this site will help make the process transparent and easy to navigate. Our hope is that we are able to answer any questions you may have, and if it doesn’t, our door and our inboxes are always open so please reach out!

Our vision is that throughout this journey your whole family connects to the synagogue and its members, staff and clergy and learns more about Judaism and Jewish living. We strive to make this experience special and meaningful. Each family has the opportunity, the privilege and responsibility to customize the preparation and the day itself to suit the bar/bat mitzvah.

Enjoy this exciting, meaningful and spiritual time in your child’s life!

Mazel Tov,
WJC B’Nei Mitzvah Committee

 

Overview of the B’nei Mitzvah Journey at WJC 

 

Nuts & Bolts of the Process

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