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Yom Chamishi, 12 Tammuz 5773
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Home Learning B'Nai Mitzvah

B'Nai Mitzvah

candles-78 copy webThe origins of a child becoming bar or bat mitzvah (meaning, son or daughter of the commandment) are based in the emergence of a 13-year-old child into legal adulthood. After a young person’s thirteenth birthday, s/he is granted the rights reserved for adults - reading from the Torah and being counted as part of a minyan.

Today, the occasion still contains a tremendous affirmation of continuity and pride. The actual ceremony of becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is included in the ritual of regular community Shabbat services. The student shows that he/she is prepared to take on responsibilities in Jewish life when he/she reads from Torah and leads the congregation in worship, thus demonstrating what he/she has learned and his/her familiarity with our tradition. However, becoming a bar/bat mitzvah bestows no magical and instant transformation. At age 13 our children are still children, and will remain so for years to come. A bar/bat mitzvah celebrates the process of becoming a Jewish adult committed to observing mitzvot. It takes guidance from parents and many years of learning to accomplish this goal. But it is a goal within the reach of our children, and one worth striving for. Becoming an acknowledged son or daughter of the Jewish people is the beginning of Jewish study - opening a window to a lifetime of Jewish learning.

We attach great importance to these celebrations and take seriously both the preparation and the commitments that we ask of our students. Please be assured that we will work closely with you to answer questions you may have. During the process of a child’s preparation, your family will meet privately with our Rabbi, and your child obtains approximately six months of individualized tutoring from our tutors. Of course, please feel free to contact any of us for counsel or guidance.

We look forward to a wonderful and rewarding family celebration!

Upcoming B'nai Mitzvah Biographies

Morgan Ashley Kasmer

June 15, 2013

 

morgan kasmer

Morgan is the daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Kasmer. She is the older sister to Zachary. She is a thoughtful, caring and well-rounded young lady.  Morgan is a 7th grade honor student at River Bend Middle School.  She enjoys taekwondo, playing soccer, reading, and listening to music.  Morgan loves spending her summers in Ocean City, Maryland and at Capital Camps.

 

For her Bat Mitzvah project, Morgan is collecting books for Children's National Medical Center.  She looks forward to celebrating her Bat Mitzvah with friends and family.

 

 

Jared Blumen

June 29, 2013

 

 

Jared Blumen will become a Bar Mitzvah on June 29, 2013.  Born and raised in Virginia, he currently lives in Stone Ridge with his family.  During his free time, he enjoys riding his bike and playing sports, such as football and basketball.  He also loves to watch the NBA Finals and root for his favorite team, the Heat, to take it all the way!

 

He has been a member of Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation for almost four years and is thankful for his fabulous teachers, who have helped him learn and understand Hebrew.  He has also begun to appreciate a wonderful Jewish learning experience.

 

Jared was a dedicated honor student at Mercer Middle School and is now preparing for his journey into high school.  Throughout middle school, he has participated in a number of activities and will play on the freshman football team at John Champe High School this coming fall.  He will also continue German as a 2nd language and play in the high school band.  We're very proud of his accomplishments!

 

For his Mitzvah project, Jared and his Dad ran in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Run and now found a new passion and hobby to take on as a runner.  We have close family and friends with breast cancer and he was proud to participate in this cause to fight cancer.

 

Jared looks forward to sharing this special occasion with his family and friends. He appreciates the guidance and support from his fellow tutors, Sheri Sackett and Rabbi Joseph, who have helped him prepare for this coming of age event. This is a monumental time in Jared's life as he moves into adulthood.

B'nai Mitzvah Resources

To download our B’nai Mitzvah Handbook, please click here.

To download our helpful B'nai Mitzvah Checklist, please click here.

To download the B'nai Mitzvah Community Service Record, please click here.