At his or her thirteenth birthday, a Jewish person inherits the mantle of 613 mitzvot - pathways by which to connect with community and with God through Torah study, deeds of loving-kindness and prayer. The moment is celebrated with an aliyah to the Torah, but it can become so much more.
Knesset Israel takes particular pride in the investment the community makes in each and every child who celebrates a bar/bat mitzvah. Every student reads Torah, chants haftara, delivers a devar torah, leads a portion of the shabbat morning service and engages in a service project. Our goal is to transform this celebration of the growth and acquisition of Torah by a young adult into a substantive step towards an educated, involved Jewish life.
Details about the Knesset Israel B'nai Mitzvah Program and relevant forms appear in the "for families" section of our website.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program
Knesset Israel's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program is a particular source of pride for the congregation. Our students study with the Rabbi and a variety of teachers and tutors-in class and one-on-one-in order to learn to chant Torah and Haftara and lead services. Courses on history and Jewish identity complement the skills curriculum, and many students go on to become teachers themselves.
