B’nei Mitzvah Timeline & Requirements

B'nei Mitzvah Punch List

TIMETABLE CHECKLIST

10-12 Months Before the Simcha:

  • Student begins private instruction with tutor.
  • Please purchase tefillin for your child, please contact Dan Nesson to discuss and/or purchase ($215).
  • Your family participates in the 6th grade “Join the Jewish Conversation” pre-B’nei Mitzvah program.
  • As a family, read through the Torah/Haftarah portion that your child will be chanting at the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
  • Begin attending Sunday morning minyanim and Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat services here at Temple Emanuel.

6 Months Before the Simcha:

  • B’nei Mitzvah will be well into learning the Haftarah with their tutor.
  • If your child is celebrating a weekday morning, Rosh Hodesh, or Shabbat Mincha Bar/Bat Mitzvah, your child has mastered the Torah cantillation and the Torah portions for his/her celebration and begins to prepare the leading of the service.
  • Your family should be attending Shabbat morning services as often as possible. Keep in mind that you are obligated to attend no fewer than eight Shabbat morning services at Temple Emanuel during the year prior to your special Shabbat.

1 – 3 Months Before the Simcha:

  • B’nei Mitzvah will be learning the Torah portion with tutor.
  • Begin work on D’var Torah (speech)
  • Expect to be notified about your meetings with the rabbis and the final rehearsal.

1 Month Before the Simcha:

  • B’nei Mitzvah will have completed studies preparing for the Shabbat service of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
  • Let Tessa Amantiado know that you plan to attend the Monday or Thursday morning minyan before the Shabbat of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
  • Complete and return the appropriate Honors Planning Forms (pages 21-22) for your simcha.