B'nai Mitzvah

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is an indication that the child has come to the age of Jewish majority.  That means that he/she is now responsible for his/her own observance of the Mitzvot.  Our goal at the Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is to not only create a spiritual and fun ritual upon which the child will look back on with fondness for many years, but to encourage the child and their whole family to continue learning about Judaism even after their Bar/Bat mitzvah.

This will help prepare children for active participation in Jewish life.  Bar/Bat Mitzvah is an important step in this process, in addition to being a milestone in the life of the child and his/her family.  Experiencing this coming-of-age ceremony enhances and adds meaning to the entire process.

For this reason, the 7th grade year centers on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in terms of its meaning and significance, its ceremony and rituals, and the implications of becoming an adult member of the Jewish community.