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B'Mitzvah Program Overview:A Commitment to Jewish Education & Identity
Bar/Bat/Bet/B'Mitzvah (abbreviated as B”M) is the title given to a young person becoming a more conscious, intentional, and responsible member of the Jewish community. Children become B’’M simply by turning 13, but it is customary for the family to mark this transition by a communal ritual. It is an important step in the transition to adulthood and the acceptance of responsibility for one’s own actions and choices.
As a public acknowledgment, the B’’M ceremony takes place within the context of a worship service at which time a portion from the Torah is read. During the course of that service, the B’’M are given the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills to participate in the service and fulfill some of the obligations of Jewish adulthood.
Participation in the service is the heart and the soul of the B’’M ceremony. Through working with gifted teachers and clergy, students will be well prepared to read Torah and/or Haftarah, chant blessings and some prayers, and delve into the text and give a d’var Torah (speech).
B”M Roadmap/Timeline
- Enroll in the Center for Jewish Learning (CJL). We encourage enrollment in the early grades, but no later than the 4th grade year.
- Fifth Grade Year: Parents attend a B”M workshop, receive basic information about the process, and submit their preferences for the date of the B”M Ceremony. The B”M Committee assigns the dates.
- Sixth Grade Year: Parents and Students attend a special Sunday morning orientation program. Students receive their siddurim (prayer books).
- Seventh Grade Year: Students design and assemble their personalized yad (pointer used in reading from the Torah scroll) and undertake their mitzvah project.
Year Prior to B"M Ceremony:
- Hebrew Boot Camp (ten individualized sessions on Zoom with tutors)
- Individual sessions scheduled with the cantor
- Individual sessions scheduled with the rabbi
- B”M Ceremony rehearsal (usually held at 3 PM on the Thursday immediately prior to the B”M Ceremony Date)
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We encourage you to reach out with questions or concerns you may have at any point during the Bar/Bat/Bet Mitzvah process.
- Enrollment Questions for Temple Israel of Northern Westchester’s Center for Jewish Learning, please contact Rabbi Wendy Pein (rabbipein@tinw.org).
- Finances, reception rentals, ceremony logistics, and sponsoring a Friday night oneg: please contact Temple Administrator Michelle Cohen (michelle@tinw.org).
- Scheduling B”M dates: please contact Jenifer McLaughlin, chair of our B”M committee (jenifermclaughlin@verizon.net).
- Ways to honor family and friends in the B”M Ceremony: please contact Rabbi Jennifer Jaech (rabbi@tinw.org).
- Torah and Haftarah readings, prayers, and preparing for the service: please contact Rabbi Jennifer Jaech (rabbi@tinw.org).
In addition to the Rabbis and the Cantors, members of the B”M Committee are available to you throughout your preparation to answer questions and refer you to the appropriate individuals or committees at Temple who can address concerns that may arise.
Below are your committee liaisons. Please feel free to contact any of us directly. Otherwise, please contact the liaison listed for your child’s month of birth.
Jan-April Jen McLaughlin 914-772-4401 jenifermclaughlin@verizon.net
May-Aug Rorie Caparelli 914-262-0450 capfam03@optonline.net
Sept-Dec Sylvana Trabout 914-525-9119 gentlybold@yahoo.com
Congratulations once again on reaching this important milestone in your child and family’s life and Jewish identity. We look forward to learning and celebrating with all of you.
Sun, April 27 2025
29 Nisan 5785
Temple israel Happenings
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Tuesday ,
AprApril 29 , 2025Sisterhood Book Group
Tuesday, Apr 29th 6:00pm to 8:30pm
NEW DATE! We will be discussing the book "The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream" by Jeannie Zusy in person at a congregants' home. The author will be joining us for the discussion. We will have a Pot Luck Dinner to start -
Wednesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2025Holocaust Education Today: Challenges and Limits by Dr. Werner Steger
Wednesday, Apr 30th 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Dr. Steger serves as the endowed chair for the Greenspan-Handel Trust for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. -
Saturday ,
MayMay 3 , 2025Midnight Run
Shabbat, May 3rd 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Volunteers needed. The Midnight Run is a volunteer organization whose goal is to come together as a community in order to feed the homeless of New York City. They coordinate more than 1,000 relief missions per year with volunteers from churches, synagogues, schools and other civic groups to deliver food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless poor on the streets of New York City. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 8 , 2025Brotherhood Steaks, Scotch & Cigars Night
Thursday, May 8th 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Join us for an in-person, grown up time to enjoy an early spring evening and just hang out. Men and women are welcome. Brotherhood will provide a BBQ steak & tuna dinner, tasty Scotch and bourbon options, soft drinks and mixers. Registration closes Monday, May 5th at 6:00 PM
Events
Friday Night
: 5:30pm |
: 7:00pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:30am |
: 10:30am |
: 3:00pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Apr 29 |
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May 2 |
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May 3 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Tazria-M'tzora
Shabbat, May 3 |
Yom HaZikaron
Wednesday, Apr 30 |