Becoming B’nei Mitzvah at Temple Sholom
Our Philosophy
Our goal is for every B’nei Mitzvah student to feel confident and prepared on the bima at their b'nei mitzvah service. We recognize that every student brings their unique strengths and challenges to the process, so we customize each student’s path through the prayers and their Torah portion. Rather than looking at this milestone as merely a checklist to be completed, we push each student to achieve all that they are capable of.
We see B’nei Mitzvah as the moment we acknowledge that our students are approaching adulthood, and our job is to teach them about the sense of responsibility that is the essence of being an adult: responsibility for your work, your self, and the world around you. While the responsibility for the work is theirs, there is also an extensive support network of clergy, educators, and tutors who support each of our students on their journey.
The Tutoring Timeline
Typically, a student begins studying for their B’nei Mitzvah 7 months out from their service date. Lessons are weekly and last for 15 minutes, and are offered online via Zoom as well as in-person. Click here for the complete B’nei Mitzvah timeline.
7-8 Months Out - Kickoff meeting with Cantor Marx
6-7 Months Out - Weekly tutoring begins
2 Months Out - Check-in meeting with Rabbi Rigler
1 Month Out - Bima rehearsal with Rabbi Rigler
Friday Immediately Prior - Final rehearsal with Cantor Marx
The Four Tasks of B'nei Mitzvah
Students are asked to take on four tasks as they prepare for their b’nei mitzvah service:
Chanting Torah and Haftarah
Leading portions of our service
Completing a mitzvah project (a volunteer, community service project)
Giving a d’var torah (speech about the Torah portion) and a “thank you” speech
B'nei Mitzvah Resources
Need a detailed guide to all things B’nei Mitzvah at Temple Sholom? Download our B’nei Mitzvah Handbook
Need a summary guide of key milestones and forms? Download our B’nei Mitzvah Guide one-sheet.
Service honors questions? Download the B'nei Mitzvah Honors Worksheets: solo b'nei mitzvah service honors and joint b'nei mitzvah service honors
Have Other Questions or Concerns?
One of the best ways to understand what a B’nei Mitzvah service looks like is to come on a Saturday morning or to watch a service on our Vimeo archive.
For questions about B’nei Mitzvah tutoring or worship service questions, please call or email Cantor Marx.
For questions about room rentals or fees, please call or email Sarah Beth Podell, Director of Membership and Programming.