B'nai Mitzvah
Congregation B’nai Israel joyfully welcomes young people to the bimah as they become B’nai Mitzvah. As a community, we recognize and support this significant time in the spiritual growth of your family. We offer guidance and support for all aspects of this Jewish rite of passage, with many opportunities for discussion and learning on a range of topics, from broad spiritual issues to more basic questions.
Our B'nai Mitzvah team is here to support you through the process. We look forward to working with you and your family to create this life cycle experience! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us:
Amy Stein, B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator
Rabbi Ariella Rosen, Interim Lead Rabbi
B'nai Mitzvah Guide
This guide provides important information for the entire B'nai Mitzvah process. Please refer to it as you prepare for the B'nai Mitzvah and reach out to Amy Stein, B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator, with questions.
Expectations for the B’nai Mitzvah process:
- Meetings with Rabbi Ariella
- Shabbat service attendance
- Cohort meeting attendance
B’nai Mitzvah timeline
- Scheduling your B’nai Mitzvah date: Date selection form
- Ritual paths for B’nai Mitzvah
Gender Queer Identities and B'nai Mitzvah
- Rabbinical Assembly teshuvah for calling non-binary people to Torah honors
Program booklet
-Please download copies of these booklets to your computer before editing so you don't change the template.
The first template is 4 pages (one folded sheet of paper) and the longer template is 8 pages (2 folded sheets).
In order for the printing to work, you need to have 4 or 8 pages in your program.
Shorter version: Sample b'nai mitzvah program.docx
Longer version: Sample b'nai mitzvah program, longer version
Honors and roles
Amy Stein will share an honors spreadsheet with you. If you do not have this, please reach out to her amy@cbinorthampton.org.
- Parents’ blessing
- Prayer for Peace
- Prayer for the State of Israel
- Prayer for our Country
Aliyah: Guidelines for family and friends who are given this honor
- Video showing how to make an aliyah
- Video recording of aliyah blessing before Torah reading
- Video recording of aliyah blessing after Torah reading
Other items to consider
- Kippot
- Invitations
- Flowers
- Candy throwing
- Cell phones
Guide to Kiddush
-Please note: CBI is peanut-free and nut-free.