What Is a Bat Mitzvah

What is a Bar Mitzvah? We are so pleased to invite you to share in Sam’s special day as he becomes a Bar Mitzvah, and that you will be joining us for a Shabbat (Sabbath in Hebrew) service at Beth El Synagogue.

We would like to tell you a little of what to expect and what happens on Saturday morning during our religious services. Please feel free to call us with questions.

When a young man reaches the age of thirteen, he is considered a Bar Mitzvah. The name literally means Son (Bar) of the Commandment (Mitzvah), which means, in modern terms, “coming of age as a responsible Jewish adult.” From that point on he is allowed to lead prayer services for the congregation.

To prepare for this responsibility, we teach our young people about our religious heritage. Not only do they learn about the history and culture of the Jewish people, but they also learn the Hebrew language and about Jewish prayers, rituals and customs. The service you will attend is like all of our Saturday morning services.

Sam will be leading portions of the service, chanting sections from the Hebrew and will present a short talk in English. He has spent many hours making these preparations which are highlights of his special day. On this day, Sam will join in the 5,000 year chain of Jewish learning and adulthood.

Beth El Synagogue is located at 14506 California Street, just northwest of the corner of 144th and West Dodge Road. Our services begin at 9:30 a.m. and end around noon. Following the service, we invite you to a Kiddush lunch (a “fellowship” hour) which usually ends around 1:00 p.m. You do not have to be at the synagogue by 9:30 a.m., but we do urge you to arrive by 10:00 a.m. when Sam will begin his participation in the service.

Appropriate dress for boys/men is slacks, shirt and tie or sweater – no jeans. For girls/women, we suggest a nice dress or skirt, blouse or sweater. Since this is a religious service, strapless or sleeveless dresses and high hemlines are not appropriate. There is a coatroom for coats and jackets.

As you enter the hall to the sanctuary, an usher will greet you. Boys/men will be asked to wear a kippah (skullcap), which are available at the synagogue. You will receive a copy of a Humash, [a book containing readings from the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and the Haftarah] and the Bat Kol, the announcement and study page which is used during the service.

When the doors to the sanctuary are closed, please remain at your seat or wait quietly in the corridor until the door is open again. Smoking and photography are prohibited on the Sabbath. Please do not bring gifts to the synagogue, and do not bring ipods or other electronic devices. Phones should be turned off, with no phone calls or texting in the sanctuary. You can step outside if you need to make a call.

The social aspects of the day are not as significant religiously as the Synagogue service, but both parts of the Bar Mitzvah add up to being a very meaningful religious milestone – a day anticipated with awe and remembered with joy.

Thank you for joining us and making this day even more special! Lisa and Sam