Adult B'nai Mitzvah Program

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January 10, 2021 - March 19, 2022

Why Have an Adult B’nai Mitzvah?

Maybe you grew up Jewish but didn’t have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as a teen, or maybe you had one but want to renew your commitment to the Jewish faith. Maybe you converted to Judaism several years ago and feel like taking the next step in navigating your Jewish identity. Whatever the reason, we hope that you join fellow Temple Beth Shalom members in this exciting and meaningful opportunity!

Program Considerations

Candidates must be a current Temple Beth Shalom member in good standing.
For those who have converted to Judaism, candidates for this program must be at least 3 years post-conversion.
The cost for this program is $360 per candidate, plus the cost of textbooks.
Cohort space is limited, with a maximum of 10 candidates.
A minimum of 5 candidates are needed for this program to move forward.
This is a group simcha. Through this program, candidates will build relationships with fellow members during the 15 months of study, concluding with a group B’nai Mitzvah on March 19 and April 2, 2022.

Program Expectations

At the end of the 15-month program, candidates will understand the makeup of the Shabbat service, be able to decode Hebrew, and have a basic understanding of key prayer vocabulary.
Candidates will share prayer leadership, read one Aliyah, deliver a d’var Torah during their group B’nai Mitzvah on March 19 and April 2, 2022
Candidates will participate in bi-weekly Adult B’nai Mitzvah classes (see curriculum below).
Candidates will participate in at least 2 additional general Lifelong Learning courses as part of their preparation
Candidates will attend Saturday morning Torah Study once a month

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Curriculum (Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. every other week)

Elements:

Hebrew (sufficient to read Torah and Haftorah) - Hebrew 1 & 2, or working privately with a tutor

Adult Ed offerings:

Monthly attendance at Torah study
Project Zug or other Lifelong Learning classes (2)

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Cohort (25 classes- meets bi-weekly)

Introduction to Jewish Theology and Roots of Reform Judaism (4 classes)
Zionism, Israel and World Jewry (4 classes)
Overview of Jewish History Since Emancipation (4 classes)
Nevi'im & Ketuvim (Prophets & Writings) (6 classes)
Jewish Legal Controversies (Abortion, Feminism, LGBTQ rights) (3 classes) (introduce Talmud and Responsa)
Writing a D’var Torah (2 classes)
Planning and Rehearsal for Adult B’nai Mitzvah (2 classes)

Questions?

Have additional questions, or want to make sure this program is right for you? Contact us.

Registration

Thu, April 25 2024 17 Nisan 5784