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From Cantor Avery Shalom! The process of becoming a bar/bat mitzvah can be exciting and challenging. For the student, there are new prayers to learn, a Torah portion to master, and a d'var Torah (speech) to write. Competing with their available time to work on these elements are school, homework, sports teams, and music lessons, to name a few. For the parents, the process can be equally time consuming. Parents need to make sure their kids get to lessons, make sure homework is getting done and make sure all the planning is in place for the special day. However, no matter what hurdles are, becoming a bar/bat mitzvah remains a joyous and celebrated day for everyone. My experience working with students who are becoming bar/bat mitzvah has been joyful and educational. One of the most striking and interesting aspects of working with 12 year olds is being blessed to witness how each student is beautifully unique. I have seen through the years that every student learns a little differently, excels in his or her own areas, and experiences varying feelings about his/her upcoming rite of passage. My approach to the bar/bat mitzvah program is therefore one that caters to the individual student. The program for the student will be as follows: 1. Required service attendance – 9 months prior to the bar/bat mitzvah date, students are required to attend 14 worship services: a. 6 Shabbat evening services b. 4 Shabbat evening service c. 4 additional of the following, your choice: Shabbat evening or morning services, holiday services or Torah Study. - Students can sign in when they show up for services. There will be a black box of index cards right by the sanctuary doors. Students will either fin a card with their name on it, or they can make their own and sign in for the day they are at services. 2. Thursday night B’nai Mitzvah class – approximately 6 months before the date, students begin attending the Thursday evening class taught by Steve Butterfass and Lane Chazdon. Students will attend this class for 2 months. 3. Private lessons - approximately 4 months before the date, students start studying privately with me for 20 minutes on a weekly basis. 4. Meetings with Rabbi Jaech - six weeks prior to the date, students start working with Rabbi Jaech on their divrei Torah (speeches). During the two months that students attend the Thursday night class, they will be studying Hebrew, working on their prayers, and learning the Torah cantillation system. When they begin private lessons with me, they will continue to work on their prayers and begin working on their Torah and Haftarah portions. Because every student is different, not every bar/bat mitzvah service will be the same. Some students will lead more prayers than others and some will chant more Torah than others. My goal is to help every student meet his or her potential. Feel free to call or email with any questions you may have. Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is a very special life cycle event. I look forward to working with you and being a small part of this special celebration with your families. Sincerely, Cantor Devorah Avery |
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