Jewish youth do not "get bar mitzvahed." Each one becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, meaning that one has begun to become a Jewish adult (literally, "liable for performing or observing commandments"). Our youth celebrate becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in a public worship service. The words Bar and Bat Mitzvah can be used to describe that part of the Shabbat morning service in which one of our youth celebrates their entry into Jewish adulthood.

The Bar or Bat Mitzvah is an opportunity for a son or a daughter and his or her entire family to enjoy a major Jewish life-cycle experience. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah involves the family and our congregation in Jewish values by teaching Torah.

Historically Bar and Bat Mitzvah has signified a person who is legally bound to fulfill the obligations and privileges of halacha, Jewish law. The precise age at which this was to occur was uncertain in Biblical times. However, in the Mishnah, which collected the practices of Palestinian Jewry from the second century BCE through the second century CE, this statement is found: "At five a child is brought to the Bible, at ten to the Mishnah, at thirteen to the Commandments."

Candidates for the Shabbat morning Bar and Bat Mitzvah in the Main Sanctuary or the Shabbat Morning Minyan in the Martin Meyer Sanctuary must be enrolled in Congregation Emanu-El's Youth and Family Education Program for three consecutive years, including the entire 7th grade year. All B'nei Mitzvah candidates must attend a minimum of three years of Torah Hebrew studies, including 7th grade. Students attending Jewish Day Schools may be excused from the Torah Hebrew requirement. Families must participate in the Family Education Programs throughout their enrollment. Families who have joined our community after the fifth grade are requested to present evidence of similar training from their previous synagogue affiliation or Jewish educational setting.

Click to see the Bar & Bat Mitzvah Program at Temple Emanu-El

Click to Download the Main Sanctuary B'Nei Mitzvah Steps PDF file