Bar and Bat Mitzvah

Coming of Age at Temple Beit HaYam

          At Temple Beit HaYam we believe that coming of age as “a child of our tradition” involves a heightened sense of purpose. We make no distinctions between religious obligations and educational and social responsibilities. With our Cantor, our children master the precious synagogue skill of leading the congregation in worship. With our Rabbi, they learn their Torah portion, Haftara and compose their drash on the sidra they have read. Along this journey, the Rabbi imparts the information that everyone who ascends our bema as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah should know. Because our children work exclusively with our clergy in their preparation (typically, nine months to a year), every service is calibrated to the contours of each child’s abilities. In many cases, the Rabbi and Cantor have known these children their entire lives. This tends to produce an intensely personal spiritual experience, one filled with reverence and unlimited joy.

          A candidate for Bar or Bat Mitzvah is expected to have an excellent attendance record at both Religious and Hebrew School. We anticipate that each of our B’nai and B’not Mitzvah will continue their Jewish education through Confirmation. All of the student’s and parent’s responsibilities are enumerated in the Temple’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook.

          We approach this rite of passage with one eye trained on the present and another focused on the time when our children will bring their children to the same moment. We also look to the past because we know that were it not for the steadfast faith of those who have gone before us, this special day would not be possible. We seek to instill in each child a sense of righteousness and devotion and an appreciation for their responsibility to pass on what they have learned and felt.

          A unique rite of Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beit HaYam is the Shalshelet haQabbalah, the Chain of Tradition, when on Rosh Hashanah morning, last year’s B’nai Mitzvah Class passes the Torah to the coming year’s class. It is, as one parent stated, “a moment that captures the continuity of our people.”