B’Nai Mitzvah

Guiding Purpose
The Journey of Becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah unfolds over the course of years, beginning as the learner enters Jewish studies, and extending beyond the ritual moment on a given, designated Shabbat morning Service.

Enabling our B'nai Mitzvah and their families to explore core questions of Jewish meaning with the aim of strengthening Jewish connection, identity and commitment, will make becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah an affirmation of Jewish living that, hopefully, lasts a lifetime.

Becoming-in-Perspective
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not a one-shot deal—a singular moment of getting called to Torah, chanting your portion, doing your d’rash, finishing a Mitzvah Project and proclaiming: “I’m done!”

Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a journey—a process that plays out over the course of years; a pathway of growth and discovery that helps you become your best Jewish self; an adventure that starts when you begin Jewish learning and continues long after the day you stand on the Temple bimah.

Preparation
Preparation for becoming a Bar or Bat mitzvah at Larchmont Temple is connected to the Three Pillars of Larchmont Temple and Jewish life:

Torah - Learning
Avodah - Ritual and Sacred Spiritual Seeking
G'milut Chasadim - Acts of Love and Kindness

During the B'nai Mitzvah process, you will engage in all three pillars and choose one pathway in which to specialize.

Torah
In addition to being called to the Torah to chant or read a section of the weekly Torah portion in Hebrew, each learner delivers a short d'rash or d’var Torah introducing the Torah portion.

Those who choose Torah as their pathway will create and deliver a more in-depth d'rash, focusing on a key aspect of the text, studying relevant commentaries, and how it relates to us today. In preparation to take on the role of “teacher,” learners meet with Rabbi Sirkman to explore their “key koshi” (question) and develop the text for their d'rash. All B'nai Mitzvah will also chant the Haftarah blessings and choose and teach a prophetic text which most relates to your Mitzvah Project.

Avodah
Learners have the opportunity to help lead the congregation in prayer as part of their B'nai Mitzvah experience. On Shabbat morning, all of our B'nai Mitzvah lead the congregation in chanting many of the liturgical prayers, including the V'ahavta, which calls us to teach Torah to our children and incorporate its teachings into our daily lives. Those who choose Avodah as their pathway will have more opportunities to lead or interpret prayers during the Shabbat morning service, working with Cantor Oringel to create these spiritual offerings through writing, music, and more.

G’milut Chasadim
In honor of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, all learners are asked to consider the many blessings they have in their lives and give back to the community through a Mitzvah Project. This is an opportunity for learners and their families to consider issues that they are interested in and/or passionate about.

Previous B'nai Mitzvah have worked at the Special Olympics, at the New Rochelle Humane Society, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, or with the Larchmont - Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force. We currently have a list of COVID19 pandemic opportunities as well. Each learner’s project should uniquely reflect what they care about and love. Those who choose Gemilut Hasadim as their pathway will have more and deeper opportunities to engage in acts of Tikkun Olam and work with Rabbi Frankel to incorporate these experiences into their d'rash.