Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Kol Hadash is a truly unique experience.  Each student works closely with Rabbi Chalom to explore his/her interests and find a topic for his/her project that is personally meaningful and worthy of a year’s study.   Students may choose to read a passage from the Torah (not restricted to the traditional portion of the week), from another part of the Bible, or from modern Israeli literature, or they may choose an in-depth project on a topic meaningful to them (research, artistic expression, or other activity).  

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is designed to celebrate the growing maturity and independence of the student. Families work with the Rabbi to create a ceremony that is meaningful to them and consistent with the values and traditions of Humanistic Judaism and Kol Hadash. The Mitzvah service is a special opportunity to honor family and friends by having them participate in the celebration.

To celebrate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Kol Hadash, a child is expected to:     

• Regularly attend Sunday School beginning in third grade.
• Complete our two-year B’nai Mitzvah Hebrew class, in addition to Sunday School.
• Meet periodically with Rabbi Chalom in the year leading up to the Mitzvah celebration.
• Study and prepare to read a Torah portion or other Hebrew selection and deliver a commentary or complete an in-depth, relevant project (research, artistic expression, or activity)