February 05, 2012   12 Sh'vat 5772
Larchmont Temple
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Bar/Bat Mitzvah MILESTONES  

WHAT?                                                                                            WHEN?…

Process & Perspective B’nei Mitzvah Conversation              Grade 5

An introduction to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process

6th Grade Family Shabbaton                                                 January—February Grade 6

An overview of the “journey”

B’nei Mitzvah Basic Training                                                        Fall & Spring Grade 7

This is our family prep-course for bringing this milestone moment to life.  Beginning with a Family Shabbat experience during a Saturday morning Bar/Bat Mitzvah, we then share in three Sunday sessions from 10 am – 12 noon, viewing your Bar/Bat Mitzvah through the prism of Covenant: “On three pillars our Covenant rests:  On Torah – Jewish learning;  on Avodah – spirit-seeking;  and on G’milut Chasadim – Jewish doing.”

Cantor’s Family Orientation                                                  6-7 Months Prior (approx.)

The particulars of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes and tutoring schedule are reviewed.

B’nai Mitzvah Family Program                                           at least 3 month prior (approx.)

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah student undertakes a “mitzvah project” of interest to take action and give back and connect with the community in honor of this simcha (special occasion).  Mitzvah projects can be brainstormed with Rena anytime.

 

BM RITE & RITUAL PREP PROGRAM

Torah/Haftarah Cantillation                                               6th& 7th Grade

Students are introduced to the basics of cantillation of Torah and Haftarah. 

Torah/Haftarah Tutorial (16 sessions Monday-Thursday)       7 Months Prior

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah child is taught his/her individual Torah and Haftarah portion guided by our tutors.

Cantor’s Countdown Class (3 Tuesday afternoons)             1 Month Prior

Approximately one month prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the child rehearses the Torah reading, haftarah, blessings, drash and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service structure in the sanctuary.

Final Family Run-Through (Thursday afternoon)              9 Days Prior

One last run-through for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child as the Cantor reviews the family’s role at both the Friday evening and Saturday morning worship services.

Thursday of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah week (unless school vacation)Chant Torah and part of your Drash during Religious School Service at 3:30 PM.

Drash-in-Process

Rabbi’s Family Torah Study/Search                                            3—4 Months Prior

Approximately 3 months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date, the family studies their child’s Torah portion with Rabbi Sirkman, setting the Drash and Blessing writing process in motion.

Drash Draft #1…#2 (Rabbi Nathan)                                           2 Months Prior

Individual appointments to refine the child’s Drash.

Final/Drash (Rabbi Review)

After having been reviewed by Rabbi Nathan, a final version of the drash is given to Rabbi Sirkman for an okay.

Bar-Bat Mitzvah—The Journey of Becoming has only begun

The Journey of Becoming is just beginning as our students continue Jewish learning through the Academy (8-10 grades, Tuesday PM program).

E-mails: 

Rabbi Sirkman jsirkman@larchmonttemple.org Rabbi Nathan mnathan@larchmonttemple.org Cantor Mendelson fmendelson@larchmonttemple.org  Rena Fraade rfraade@larchmonttemple.org
Mitzvah Mania!  
Dear 6th and 7th Grade Family,

Have you heard about the great opportunity ahead of you this year? In sixth and seventh grade you are given even more responsibility to work to make this world a better place! How, you may ask can you fulfill this task and do your part to make Mitzvah come alive in your community and at home?

We give you the tools to help you make Mitzvah a value that is present in your life. Our program is designed to allow you to make your own choices when it comes to doing a Mitzvah project. Whether you are compelled to help New York City’s homeless, work with disabled children, or sing for seniors in nursing homes, this guide contains something for you.

There are three types of Mitzvah Opportunities:

  • Trips
  • Family Mitzvahs
  • Individual Mitzvahs

When you come to Religious School this year you will receive you guide and you will be ready to get started on your Mitzvah Projects for the year!

This is your chance to really make a difference in our community. Take advantage of these opportunities and make this year a great one for doing Mitzvot!
B'nei Mitzvah Family Program  

The B’nai Mitzvah Mitzvah Program

Making Mitzvahs Matter OR Bringing the Mitzvah into the B’nai Mitzvah

 
What is it?
You’re wondering in this whole b’nai mitzvah process “How can I help others?” We guide you to help you give back to the community in honor of your bar/bat mitzvah. It is also a way for you to come to understand how to pursue a lifetime of giving back through time and action commitments.
 
Where do I start?
Well, we all know the traditional four questions recited at the Passover seder--Ma nishtana haleila hazeh…. But here is a different set of four questions and these questions will help in your quest to pick your mitzvah!
 
1.      What am I good at?
2.      What do I like to do?
3.      What bothers me so much in this world that I feel I want to do whatever I can to
change it?
4.      Does my family have a connection with an organization or cause?
 
And finally: When do I start? (okay, that’s number 5!)
 
Finding a Mitzvah Project:
Deciding what you want to do for a Mitzvah Project can be a daunting task. Remember - it can connect to your parsha, or simply to your interests. More than anything you should truly care about the work you are doing. There are various ways to pick determine your project:
 
** The LT Parsha-Mitzvah Chart (available at larchmonttemple.org/study/mitzvah)
 
** Meeting with the LT Mitzvah Coordinator:
It is never too early to get started on your project but we should meet at least 4 months prior to “the big day.” Set up a meeting with Rena [rfraade@larchmonttemple.org OR 914 834 6120 x28] to brainstorm ideas, develop thoughts, and make decisions. Meetings will take approximately one half hour. Suggested times are…
Sundays 12:15PM, 12:45PM
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 3:00PM, 5:30PM, 6:00PM
 
                                                                  

Already know what you want to do? No problem – just confirm your idea with Rena before you begin.

 

Not sure what to do? Find out what your classmates are doing and others, by checking out the “Mitzvah Moments” section in LT Temple News.
Mitzvah Program Forms/Documents/Events  
B'nai Mitzvah Basic Training for the BM Class of 2012!  

Shabbat Morning from the Inside Out! A B'nei Mitzvah Family Learning Experience

Celebrating your b’nai mitzvah in 2012? Then you should be at Temple on Saturday October 22, 2011 from 9:30am – 1:00pm to get inside the Saturday morning Worship Experience

B'NAI MITZVAH BASIC TRAINING,
three Sunday Training Sessions,

10:15AM - 11:30AM

Our 5772 B'nei Mitzvah will join us November 13, November 20, and December 4, 2011

Our family prep-course will feature Torah teaching with Rabbi Sirkman, Spirit-Questing, Torah Blessings 101 and Mitzvah-Mentoring with Rabbi Nathan and Rena Fraade. Only by preparing your heart, mind and spirit will becoming Bat/Bar mitzvah mean all it can-and what it must!

Bagels, coffee and juice will be served.
Other B'nai Mitzvah Events!  

6th grade Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Shabbaton SATURDAY, December 10, 2011 

Breakfast…Registration / Shabbat AM “annotated” worship

Journey I…An Invitation to Becoming

        How do we bring our families and communities into our BM experience?

Journey II… Lunch on the Go

The  Road Map to Rite & ritual…Understanding the nuts & bolts of the preparation process

Journey III… Torah Vision…Step Inside Your Torah Text

Bring your Torah portion to life!

Journey IV… Making Meaning…Emphasizing the “Mitzvah”

A BM mitzvah project workshop

 

5th grade "Blessing of the B'nai Mitzvah" 8pm w/ Rabbi Sirkman 2/2/2012

 

4th grade Blessing of Becoming 5:15 - 5:30pm 5/9/2012
Bnei Mitzvah Resources  

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