The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program at Temple Sholom strives to address not only the mechanics of reading from the Torah, but also how to navigate this period in the life of one’s family informed by Jewish values and Jewish tradition. As part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, we also offer occasions for parents and children to learn together. This not only supports the idea of lifelong Jewish learning, but also provides opportunities for parents and children to explore their relationship and the concept of responsibility at a time when young people are testing both their own individuality and the authority of their parents. We are privileged to be part of the life of your family at this momentous time.

In addition to Jewish values, history, and holidays, which our students learn in our Religious School/Beit Sefer Shalom, Bar/Bat Mitzvah students learn basic synagogue skills including reading Hebrew, becoming familiar with the basic components of Jewish worship, and learning how to write a D’var Torah (literally, “a word of Torah,” a brief speech based on the weekly Torah portion).

The teen years (i.e., post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah) are essential in terms of forming a strong Jewish identity, a mature understanding of the meaning of Judaism on a deep, personal level, and a lifelong connection to the Jewish community. Therefore, at Temple Sholom we also emphasize that becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah means making a commitment to ongoing participation in the life of the Jewish community in general, as well as an explicit commitment to continue one’s Jewish learning in our Crown Family High School through 12th grade graduation.