Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a beginning. Jewish law has fixed the age of thirteen for boys and twelve for girls as the beginning of adulthood. Therefore, a child legally enters the stage of “responsibility” at that time and becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Being a Bar/Bat Mitzvah means reaching the age of Jewish maturity and assuming the privileges, obligations and responsibilities of following the Mitzvot, the commandments of Jewish law.

This period of training and preparation can be a time of growth and enrichment, not only for the student, but also for the family as a whole. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah should be treated as a catalyst in your child’s life—the time for grappling with ideas and identities, both Jewish and secular. It is a time that can have deep significance, and be of vital importance to your child’s development as an individual and a Jew.

Preparations for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah begins when a child enters religious school. Every Bar or Bat Mitzvah child must be enrolled in the Beth Am Jewish Learning Center, San Diego High School for Jewish Studies, or a Jewish Day School three years prior and during his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Each student is assigned a one on one tutor approximately 7 months prior to their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. On the day of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they will join the cmmunity and be called to the Torah.All 7th grade students and their families are expected to attend a monthly class for their entire 7th grade year.

Please see the B’nai Mitzvah Handbook for all the information regarding this program.