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Adult B'nai Mitzvah 5786 (2026) Cohort

Upcoming Sessions

1. Sunday, March 8, 2026 • 19 Adar 5786

12:30 PM - 1:30 PMTemple Sholom (in-person)

2. Sunday, April 12, 2026 • 25 Nisan 5786

12:30 PM - 1:30 PMTemple Sholom (in-person)

3. Sunday, April 26, 2026 • 9 Iyar 5786

12:30 PM - 1:30 PMTemple Sholom (in-person)

4. Sunday, May 3, 2026 • 16 Iyar 5786

12:30 PM - 1:30 PMTemple Sholom (in-person)
Past Sessions
Sunday, February 22, 2026 • 5 Adar 5786 - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Temple Sholom (in-person)
Sunday, February 1, 2026 • 14 Sh'vat 5786 - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Temple Sholom (in-person)
Adult B’nai Mitzvah Program Temple Sholom of Chicago | 5786–5787
Thank you for your interest in our Adult B’nai Mitzvah program! We are so very excited that you are interested in continuing your Jewish education here at Temple Sholom by studying and preparing to become Adult B’nai Mitzvah. This is a meaningful and joyful journey that we will take together as a cohort, under the leadership of Rabbi Scott Gellman, Cantor Sheera Ben-David, and Fred Snyder.
 
Program Overview & Goals
The overall goal of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah program is for each participant to:
  • Learn how to decode Biblical Hebrew
  • Gain comfort with Torah trope and chanting
  • Chant 3–4 verses of Torah
  • Chant the Torah blessings
  • Develop a deeper understanding of Torah as both learners and teachers
  • Prepare and share a brief D’var Torah, reflecting on their assigned parashah and personal journey
At the conclusion of the program, each participant will be called to the Torah during a Saturday morning minyan service, marking their Adult B’nai Mitzvah with both skill and intention. Dates for each person’s Bet Mitzvah will be finalized by class session #2, based on preferences and availability.
 
Program Structure & Duration
  • The program runs for approximately six months, depending on when each participant is scheduled to be called to the Torah.
  • Learning includes a combination of:
    • Group classes with clergy
    • Group Hebrew instruction
    • Individualized Hebrew tutoring
    • One-on-one preparation at the Torah scroll with Cantor Ben-David
  • Participants will be scheduled individually for a Saturday morning minyan at the conclusion of their preparation.
 
Cohort Launch
We are excited to begin a new cohort in February 2026
Session Schedule
 
#1 Welcome Session
With Rabbi Gellman and Cantor Ben-David
Sunday, February 1 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
  • Orientation to the program
  • Collection of preferred B’nai Mitzvah dates
#2 Class Session
With Rabbi Gellman: What Does It Mean to Become a B’nai Mitzvah?
Sunday, Feb 22 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
 
#3 Group Hebrew Lesson
With Fred Snyder
Monday evening | In person
  • Letters and vowels
  • Independent workbook practice between sessions
#4 Group Hebrew Lesson
With Fred Snyder
Monday evening | In person
  • Review letters and vowels
  • Decoding with focus on Biblical Hebrew
#5* Individual Hebrew Tutoring
With Fred Snyder
  • 30 minutes, individually scheduled
  • Online via Zoom
#6 Class Session
With Rabbi Conover: Why Is a Mitzvah Project Part of My B’nai Mitzvah?
Sunday, March 8 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
 
#7 Class Session
With Cantor Ben-David: Exploring the Liturgy of B’nai Mitzvah
Sunday, April 12 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
 
#8 Class Session
With Rabbi Antman: Writing a D’var Torah
Sunday, April 26 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
 
#9* Individual Hebrew Tutoring
With Fred Snyder
  • 30 minutes, individually scheduled
  • Online via Zoom
#10 Final Cohort Session
With Rabbi Gellman: Approaching Mitzvot in a Reform Jewish Context
Sunday, May 3 | 12:30–1:30 PM | In person at Temple Sholom
 
#11* Individual Hebrew Tutoring
With Fred Snyder
  • 30 minutes, individually scheduled
  • Online via Zoom
#12* Individual Hebrew Tutoring
With Fred Snyder
  • 30 minutes, individually scheduled
  • Online via Zoom
#13* Torah Preparation Session
With Cantor Ben-David
  • 30 minutes, individually scheduled
  • In person at the Torah scroll
*Individual sessions to be scheduled separately.
Instructional Focus
  • Sessions with Fred Snyder focus on Hebrew decoding, trope, Torah chanting, and select prayer deep dives. These sessions are critical for preparing participants to chant Torah.
  • Sessions with the clergy team explore the meaning of becoming B’nai Mitzvah as an adult, Jewish learning and responsibility, mitzvot, and personal spiritual growth.
 
Tuition

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Sat, March 7 2026 18 Adar 5786