Reinventing Jewish Learning
BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Taken from "Living as a Bat Mitzvah" By Sara Esther Crispe | March 03, 2013, Chabad.org
"... For so many, the day of the bat or bar mitzvah is likened to a graduation. There is this sense that you have finished. That you have reached your goal. That everything up until this point, all the classes, tutoring, learning, preparing, has been only for this one day. And once that day is over, it is over. It is done with. Finished.

I want my daughter’s bat mitzvah to be a beautiful event. But more than that, I want and need her to know that this is not the end of anything; it is just the beginning. Her life as a Jewish woman is not the final day, but the first day. Up until now it has been only practice; from bat mitzvah and on, it is the real deal. Even though she is only a 12-year-old girl, Judaism now will consider her as an adult. She will be responsible for her thoughts, her speech and her actions.

And while it is so easy to get caught up with the details of the party (yes, I am talking to myself right now), the party is not the bat mitzvah. The bat mitzvah happens with or without the party. It happens with or without her involvement. The bat mitzvah happens by virtue of her turning 12. Her bat mitzvah marks taking her past, her childhood, and using that to catapult into her present, with a focus for her future. This is a lifelong process..."
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PARENTS
​What to do & When
If this is your first Bar or Bat Mitzvah, you may be wondering about the timing of your preparations. For a timeline to help guide you, click here
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Need a Torah?
You can borrow a Torah and other ritual items from the Jewish Milestones Ritual Resource Library at the SF JCC.
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For more information, click here.
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Torah Blessings
For the Torah Blessings text, click here.
Before the Reading
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After the Reading tune
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Personalized Kippot
Some families may choose to purchase kippot for their service. There are a number of online companies that do this.


​Finding Meaning
I would like to offer some additional resources for bringing meaning to your service and preparations:

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Putting God on the Guest List, by Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin. Click here
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The Remember Us Project to remember children whose lives were lost in the Holocaust. Click here
STUDENTS
Marin Synagogue Teen Programs: Both Marin synagogues have social programming as well as classes for post-bmitzvah kids.
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At Kol Shofar, contact Jonathan Emanuel at jemanuel @ kolshofar.org or (415) 388-181, ext. 105
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At Rodef Sholom, click here.
Stay Connected
After your bar or bat mitzvah, there are many ways to stay connected to the Jewish community and other Jewish kids. Here are some examples (in no particular order)...
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JCC Maccabi Games: The games are an event where thousands of Jewish teens from around the world meet and compete in a variety of sporting events.
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JCC Maccabi ArtsFest: This is a weeklong arts experience for creative Jewish teens entering 8th-12th grades. It features home hospitality, includes opening and closing events, workshops, performances, exhibits, community service, and social activities, while it strengthens bonds to Jewish heritage, community and Israel.
Contemporary Jewish Museum Teen Programs: The CJM offers a range of events and activities for all teens. In addition to regular programs, including Battle of the Bands and Teen Nights, the Museum's Access 18 program provides free annual memberships, and Teen Art Connect (TAC) gives teens the opportunity gain valuable skills and experience as an intern at the Museum.
Jewish Community Teen Foundation: Teens who serve on a Teen Foundation learn how to run their own non- profit foundations and to become strategic grant makers.
