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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.
Sat, March 15 2025
15 Adar 5785
Temple israel Happenings
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2025Brotherhood Lecture: Passover, God's Gift to Humankind
Thursday, Mar 20th 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Join Temple member Alejandro Goday as he tells of the events of the Jewish community in Chile during the military coup of September 11, 1973. He will also relate his personal journey to Judaism. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 22 , 2025Sisterhood Spring Fling Dance
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 22nd 7:30pm to 11:00pm
Put on your dancing shoes and join Sisterhood at Temple Israel for our Spring Fling Dance. Back by popular demand, DJ Steve will have you on the dance floor all night. Light fare, cash bar, dessert and Silent Auction will be provided. Bring your friends to this amazing event! -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2025Fullerhouse Center for Housing with Brotherhood-Offsite
Sunday, Mar 23rd 9:00am to 12:00pm
Please join us to help address homelessness in Westchester by volunteering for a build event. This is a great opportunity for our teens to participate in some very important community service and earn community service credits. Please note that teens should be accompanied by an adult. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 30 , 2025Brotherhood Breakfast: Speaker Dana Levenberg
Sunday, Mar 30th 10:00am to 11:30am
Whether as a community leader, the Town Supervisor of Ossining or, since January 2023, representing Assembly District 95 in Albany, Assemblywoman, Dana Levenberg has worked to make a difference for us all.
Events
Today's Calendar
Shushan Purim |
: 9:30am |
Friday Night
: 7:00pm |
: 8:00pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:30am |
: 10:30am |
: 7:30pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Mar 16 |
Mar 20 |
Mar 22 |
Mar 22 |
Mar 23 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Ki Tisa
Shushan Purim
Shabbat, Mar 15 |