B'nei Mitzvah Committee
The B'nei Mitzvah Committee helps arrange Havurah's bar and bat mitzvah process.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah
Bar/bat mitzvah means son/daughter of the covenant. It usually occurs on or after the thirteenth birthday of a young person.
At Havurah, we want to be sure b'nai mitzvah feel they are part of a community, which is why we require families to be members of Havurah Shalom for three full consecutive years prior to their child’s bar or bat mitzvah.
Though this may delay the bar or bat mitzvah until the young person is in his or her mid-teens, we believe it takes a foundation of time in order to build strong community ties and create significant relationships. A bar or bat mitzvah is a significant event in the life of a young person. Religiously, b'nai mitzvah are responsible for their moral actions. They also take their place of responsibility in the Jewish community by participating in Shabbat Services.
B’nai Mitzvah Workshops for 2019-20
Drash Workshop
In this workshop, Rabbi Benjamin will guide students and parents in responding to the text with our own questions and learning how to craft a drash that connects Torah to our lives. 7-8:30 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 6
B’nei Mitzvah Cohort
Youths being called to the Torah this year will be building community together. Topics will include what Jewish tradition has to say about belief, identity and how we live our lives, as we each consider “What does being Jewish and becoming bar or bat mitzvah mean to me?” With Rabbi Benjamin. 6:30-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 11, 18
B’nei Mitzvah Planning Logistics
Planning and setup at Havurah will be addressed by Rachel Pollak, Havurah’s Office and Facilities Manager. 7-8:30 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 20
B’nei Mitzvah Tips and Tricks
Every b’nei mitzvah is unique, and there are definitely pitfalls to avoid. Come learn as others who have walked the path more than once share their hard-won wisdom. 7-8:30 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 11
B’nei Mitzvah: Beginning the Journey/Date Selection
This workshop for parents intends to launch families on the b’nei mitzvah journey. We will focus on the rite of passage itself, then families will learn about the date selection process. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and the B’nei Mitzvah Committee. 10-12 pm, Sunday, Feb. 23
Whose B'nei Mitzvah Is It Anyway?
Parents explore the hopes and fears that inspire, inform and complicate the planning process. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Laura Orgel, psychologist and child/family therapist. 3-4:30 pm, Saturday, Apr. 25
Please check our online calendar to confirm the above dates and times.
Resources
- Deborah Eisenbach-Budner’s Illustrated Guide to a Shabbat Morning Service (PDF)
- Order of Service Chart (PDF) – This valuable chart walks you through each part of the Shabbat morning service, including page numbers in the siddur and suggestions for who can lead the various prayers. The chart is a companion to the music Havurah provides to b'nai mitzvah candidates.
- Additional Guidelines (PDF) for when your bar/bat mitzvah falls on a Shabbat School date
- Frequently Asked Qustions (FAQs) (PDF)
- Current B’nai Mitzvah Parent Handbook (PDF - Updated January 2018)
- For an updated musicians list and tutor list, contact the Havurah office at 503-248-4662.
B'nai Mitzvah Schedule 2018-20
August 17 2019 - Frances Springgate
October 19, 2019 - Sam Waxman
October 26, 2019 - Bennet Miller
December 7, 2019 - Levi Mandelsberg
January 18, 2020 - Nathaniel Shine
January 25, 2020 - Cora Paasch
March 14, 2020 - Noa Ziv
March 28, 2020 - Elliot Strom
April 4, 2020 - Saul Drucker
April 25, 2020 - Quinton and Abrianna Decker
May 2, 2020 - Gautam Josse
May 23, 2020 - Orion Segal
June 20, 2020 - Sophie Reilly
June 27, 2020 - Jonathan Williams
July 11, 2020 - Max Symmes
July 25, 2020 - Lucas Bader
August 1, 2020 - Max Smith
August 22, 2020 - Evelyn Goldberg
August 29, 2020 - Quinley Wise
October 24, 2020 - Jordan Devlin
October 31, 2020 - Ella Korin
Adult B'nai/B'not Mitzvah
Are you interested in ...
- Expanding your Jewish literacy skills, confidence, and sense of connection with Judaism?
- Deepening your knowledge and commitment to Torah, Tefillah (Prayer) and Kehillah (Community)?
- Going through this process with others and celebrating your Jewish learning in our community?
Then consider joining a group of adults who will become B’nai and B’not Mitzvah together through a two-year process of engaging, independently and collectively.
This adult B’nai/B’not Mitzvah study process is for
- Those who never became Bar or Bat Mitzvah
- Those who had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in form but not in substance
Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner to learn about the next group of Adult B'nai Mitzvah who will embark on a two-year journey together.
Past B'nai Mitzvah
Mazel tov to the 18 Havurah Shalom adults pictured above, who celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah on Dec. 5, 2015, after two and a half years of studying Torah, prayer, and spirituality together. You can read their drashot here and see their photos on Facebook. You can also read the drashot of Havurah’s adult B’nai Mitzvah in 2012.
Participants in our B’nai and B’not Mitzvah classes need to be Havurah Shalom members. If you are not a member, click here for membership information.