B nai Mitzvah Handbook Revised May, 2013
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Fees The current Bar/Bat Mitzvah program fee is currently $900. $300 of the program fee is paid when the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date is reserved. A Kiddush deposit of $300 is also required when the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date is reserved, and is paid separately to Temple Aliyah Sisterhood. The second payment of $300 is due two years prior to the B nai Mitzvah date with the remaining $300 due one year prior to B nai Mitzvah date. All fees must be current prior to training. The program fee includes 8 months of private sessions once per week. Students receive Bar/Bat Mitzvah training materials, including CDs, Mp3s, prayers, Haftarah and Torah portions. Early Start/Extra Help Fees The Early Start Program is currently $100/month (in addition to the regular 10 month tutoring), based upon an evaluation by our clergy. The program fee includes 25 minutes of tutoring once a week for number of months to be determined by clergy. Extra Help is also available if necessary for the same fee per month based on evaluation. Fees Membership Fees All synagogue membership fees must be paid in full before Bar/Bat Mitzvah training can begin. The fiscal membership year begins July 1. Families choosing to pay dues on a payment plan must be current at the 8-month beginning of training. Kiddush Fee The Kiddush fee is currently $1,400, and is subject to change up to one year before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. A deposit of $300 is due to Temple Aliyah Sisterhood when the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date is selected. The remaining balance is due in full 5 months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. The Kiddush fee includes sponsoring the Friday Night Oneg Shabbat and Saturday morning Kiddush luncheon for up to 125 guests. Families expecting more than 125 guests pay supplemental fees. The Sisterhood Kiddush fee is reduced for families choosing to hold a private Starlite-catered luncheon directly after the Saturday morning service. Flowers for the bima are available for an additional fee. Lunch menus are available from the Temple Aliyah Sisterhood Catering Vice President. In order to provide enough food for all those attending the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony, families are asked to provide an accurate count of guests, including children attending Saturday morning. Fees? Accounts Receivable 818-346-3545, ext. 112 lmichaud@templealiyah.org Sisterhood Catering Vice President 818-346-3545, ext 100 *Kiddush fees subject to change. The Date May July August Welcome Welcome to the B nai Mitzvah program at Temple Aliyah. We hope this booklet will be useful as you near your exciting event. This is the beginning of your wonderful journey...enjoy every step of the way! Members with children approaching Bar/Bat Mitzvah age will receive a Date Selection Packet 3 Years before their child s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Typically, the B nai Mitzvah services at Temple Aliyah take place on Shabbat morning. Most Bar/Bat Mitzvah children participate with a partner in a shared Shabbat service. A number of factors are utilized to pair Bar/Bat Mitzvah students including Hebrew ability. While the majority of our students request and are assigned a date 3 years advance, students may change or select a date up to 8 months prior to the ceremony. Education If a child has a partner preference for his/her date, he/she can indicate the preference on the B nai Mitzvah Registration Form. Here is the timeline and procedure for assigning B nai Mitzvah dates: Date Selection Packets Mailed Date Request Deadline (first come first served basis) B nai Mitzvah Dates Mailed Requirements 5 years of Religious School preceding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Currently enrolled in either Religious School, Our Space, post-bar/bat Mitzvah programs, Los Angeles Hebrew High, or Jewish Day School Attendance at 2 Friday night and 4 Saturday Shabbat services with a parent during the eight months prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Tutoring All students receive 8 months of tutoring in preparation for their Shabbat morning service. Tutoring sessions are 25 minutes per week. Each student works with 2 or 3 tutors throughout the training process a Peer Tutor, Hazzan Mimi or a Professional Tutor, and Hazzan Stein. Peer Tutors are high school students who are specially trained for Bar/Bat Mitzvah instruction. All Peer Tutors have experience with Haftarah, Torah chanting and prayer preparation. Bar/Bat Mitzvah students see their Peer Tutor for four weeks and then begin with Hazzan Mimi or a Professional Tutor for 6 months, followed by Hazzan Stein for the final month. All students are overseen by Hazzan Mimi. Tikkun Olam Project All Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are expected to complete a social action project as part of their B nai Mitzvah preparation. Approximately 6 months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah students make a 6 hour commitment to a community service project with an organization of their choice. Students often choose projects that coincide with personal interests and may involve either Jewish or secular organizations. E d u c a t i o n Kiddush B nai Mitzvah families sponsor the Oneg Shabbat following Friday evening services and the congregational Kiddush luncheon following the Saturday morning service. Temple Aliyah Sisterhood coordinates food arrangements for Friday and Saturday. Menus and Kiddush contracts are sent out one year before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. In lieu of flowers, a SOVA basket is placed on the bima, representing Sisterhood s weekly donation to SOVA. SOVA fights hunger and poverty in our community by providing free groceries and supportive services for over 10,000 people each month. Flowers for the bima are available for an additional fee. (See Fees page for info on Kiddush fees) Alternatively, students can participate in 6 hours of temple-sponsored Social Action programs or create a project of their own. Students who successfully complete a Tikkun Olam project will be acknowledged on the bimah during the service and with a gold seal on their Bar/Bat Mitzvah certificate. For information on the Tikkun Olam Project, contact Jeff Bernhardt at ext. 239, jeffb@templealiyah.org Education? Hazzan Mimi s office 818-346-3545, ext. 108 hazzanmimi@templealiyah.org Early Start or Extra Help Tutoring An expanded tutoring schedule is available for students who need or wish for more time to prepare. Students are evaluated one year prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah and may be recommended for Early Start to begin prior to the normal 8 months training period for an additional $100/month. A curriculum is devised for each Early Start child. For students desiring an additional session per week, Extra Help tutoring can also be provided on an individual basis, as needed for $100/month. Catering Temple Aliyah has an exclusive in-house caterer, Starlite Catering. Starlite is available for B nai Mitzvah parties at Temple Aliyah, Including: Friday Evening Shabbat Dinner Evening Affairs Luncheons Private Kiddushes Luncheons held immediately after a Shabbat morning service are held in Tidus or Lubin Hall, separate from the congregational Kiddush. Please note that in order to preserve the sanctity of Shabbat, Temple Aliyah prohibits the use of the following items on Shabbat during luncheon parties: Candle lighting ceremonies Sign-In boards Entertainment vendors such as tattoo artists, name painting, etc. Temple Aliyah does permit music, photography and videography in a private party if it is contained solely in Tidus or Lubin Hall. Photographers are not permitted in public spaces such as the sanctuary, foyer, or facility hallways during a private luncheon. Catering? Starlite Caterers 818-346-3545, ext 117
Minyan The Sunday before each Bar/Bat Mitzvah, students attend a morning minyan an informal service held in the Kurland Family Chapel. Students lead prayers during the service and have an opportunity to put on tefillin (phylacteries), a meaningful ritual in adult Jewish life. Sunday morning minyan begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at approximately 10:00 a.m. Photos? Receptionist 818-346-3545 ext. 100 jsolomon@templealiyah.org Photos Families are welcome to use the sanctuary and synagogue facilities for family photographs taken during the week of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. All photograph sessions in the sanctuary must be reserved with the receptionist in the synagogue office. A special Torah is designated for photography use. We ask that special care is taken in utilizing ritual objects and facilities. DVD/Video recording To maintain the sanctity of Shabbat, Temple Aliyah does not permit the use of private videography during services. However, Temple Aliyah does employ the use of a hidden automated camera, which records Shabbat services, and which captures a stationary view of the bima. A DVD or video recording of the Shabbat morning service is available for purchase. All DVD/video recordings must be RESERVED ahead of time with the synagogue office. There is a $150 donation for the DVD/Video recording. The Service Saturday Honors 3 Aliyot (1 Aliyah for parents, each Aliyah may have up to 2 people) 1 Ark Opening (up to 4 people) 1 Torah Carrier 1 Torah lifter/dresser An Honors Form is sent to all families, 2 months before the Bar/Bat mitzvah. Temple Aliyah will send letters to all honorees, indicating that they have been selected for a particular honor. If you have a non-jewish family member please discuss service participation with Hazzan Mimi. Student Service Material Shema/V ahavta Vayomer V shamru Friday Night Kiddush Amidah Tallit Blessing Torah Blessings Torah Portion (Maftir) Haftarah Blessings Haftarah Portion (from Prophets) Saturday Kiddush 2 minute speech about the Torah or Haftarah portion Student Speech Each Bar/Bat Mitzvah child is responsible for preparing a D var Torah or a speech focusing on the Torah portion or Haftarah portion. Speech preparation is part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah training process and each student will have a speech meeting with Rabbi Oren at 2 months prior his or her date. Each speech is roughly one and a quarter pages, and should be designed to instruct the congregation, and draw personal meaning from our sacred texts. Younger Sibling Participation (participation is optional) Kiddush and Motzi on Shabbat morning Opening the Ark Parent Participation Friday Night candle lighting by mothers (check calendar for Friday night service time) Saturday Speech/Tallit Presentation (one page, double-spaced per parent) Saturday Aliyah (recitation of Torah Blessings) Torah reading opportunities for family members are also available Non-Jewish Parent Participation Mothers Friday Night candle lighting Speech/Tallit Presentation Sitting on bima with spouse during Torah Service At Temple Aliyah, we welcome the participation of our Non-Jewish parents. We recognize the significance of the Bar/Bat mitzvah in the lives of the entire family. THE SERVICE? Anna Williman 818-346-3545 ext 115 awilliman@templealiyah.org
The Service Administration Family Meetings Dress Code Kippot (yarmulkes) and tallitot (prayer shawls) for men Kippot or head coverings for men and women on bima Shoulders covered and modest length skirts for women. Ritual Philosophy Temple Aliyah is a Conservative egalitarian congregation. Men and women participate equally in all aspects of synagogue life. Parent Speeches Each parent may deliver a speech to his/her child as part of the tallit presentation during the Shabbat morning service. Parent speeches must meet the following Guidelines: (For each parent): 1 page, double-spaced 1 1/2 inch margins (standard) 12 point font Shabbat Service Times Saturday Morning: 9:15 a.m. Friday Evening: First Shabbat of Month * Family Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Second Shabbat * Shabbat Fusion 6:45 p.m. Third Shabbat * Every Third Shabbat 8:15 p.m. Fourth Shabbat * Klezmer & Choir or New Shabbat Service 8:15 p.m. Fifth Shabbat * Shabbat with sermon 8:15 p.m. *Friday Night Shabbat Services are subject to change, please double check with the synagogue office. Ritual Etiquette It is our goal to provide a spiritual and uplifting Shabbat experience for all our congregants and visitors. In observance of Shabbat, we prohibit the use of the following items on synagogue grounds*: Cell phones Pagers Electronic Games PDA s Cameras Video equipment Smoking In order to maintain the safety of service participants we ask that no candy be thrown during Shabbat services. *Some electronic equipment is permitted during private party celebrations on Shabbat. Please see catering section for guidelines. Final Rehearsal Meetings that take place before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date include: One Year Prior with Rabbi Gary Oren To discuss your family s needs and the special significance of Bar/Bar Mitzvah for your child, including brief educational assessment. Children receive study materials. Ten Months Prior with Hazzan Mimi Haselkorn Overview of the tutoring process and administrative information session. All families participate in a final rehearsal on the bima during the week of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The rehearsal is for parents and students only. Extended family and young siblings are discouraged from attending. Students and parents will have a chance to practice all service material. Contact Information Temple Aliyah 818-346-3545 Rabbi Stewart Vogel, ext. 115, rabbivogel@templealiyah.org Rabbi Gary Oren, ext. 130, rabbioren@templealiyah.org Hazzan Mike Stein, ext. 105, hazzanstein@templealiyah.org Hazzan Mimi Haselkorn, ext. 108, hazzanmimi@templealiyah.org Executive Director, David Brook, ext. 106, dbrook@templealiyah.org Religious School Director, Rabbi Adam Schaffer, ext. 110 rabbiadam@templealiyah.org Educational Curriculum Director, Betty Brasky Tochner, ext. 135 btochner@templealiyah.org Ritual Secretary, Anna Williman ext. 115, awilliman@templealiyah.org Administrative Assistant, Ivee Horland, ext. 143 ihorland@templealiyah.org Accounts Receivable, ext 112, lmichaud@templealiyah.org Two Months Prior with Rabbi Gary Oren Student speech review One Month Prior with Rabbi Stewart Vogel Parent and child speech review and overview of the Shabbat service and family honors. The Voice Article Each student submits a short paragraph and picture for publication in The Voice Newsletter 10 weeks before his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Students generally introduce themselves to the congregation and mention why this day is special in their lives. Pictures and paragraphs must be submitted via e-mail by 10 weeks before his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah to jsolomon@templealiyah.org