Your child’s B’nai Mitzvah is a unique and memorable time in the life of your family. We are excited to participate in this journey and hope that it will be a stepping stone to a lifetime of meaningful Jewish experiences and that through this process you will strengthen your sense of community at Beth Shalom.
Next Steps Meeting – During the date assignment process, we will invite you to a Long-term(Next Steps) Planning Meeting during which time we will review the Next Steps Planning Book, and introduce you to all of the clergy and staff that will be a part of you and your child’s ritual life leading up to your simcha. There will be a question and answer period at this meeting to address any questions or concerns that you may have. Our Next Steps Planning meeting has proven to be quite helpful to our families and we strongly encourage you to attend.
Mechina (B’nai Mitzvah Preparation) Class – The 6th Grade Mechina is a mandatory program for Religious School Students and meets on Shabbat and select Sundays throughout the school year. The goal of the curriculum is to teach necessary synagogue skills in addition to experiencing the beauty of Shabbat through community prayer and family education.
Tutoring – Individual tutoring begins one year prior to B’nai Mitzvah. The tutoring sessions are weekly and last between 20-30 minutes. Congregation Beth Shalom will provide your child with the one-on-one tutoring necessary to ensure your child’s success on the Bima.
B’nai Mitzvah Planning Meeting –12-18 months prior to your child’s B’nai Mitzvah, we will invite you to a Short Term B’nai Mitzvah Planning Meeting during which time we will review the details of the upcoming months, which can be found in the Short Term B’nai Mitzvah Planning Book. There will be a question and answer period to address any questions or concerns that you may have.
Clergy Meetings – If your child needs help with ideas for their Tikkun Olam Project, please make an appointment with Cantor Stoehr. Two months before your child’s B’nai Mitzvah, you and your child will meet with Rabbi Chapman to go over Aliyot and discuss your child’s D’var Torah. Within the week of your Simcha, your family will meet with Rabbi Melman to review the specifics of what will happen on the day. Your child’s Tutor will also schedule a full run through of the service on the Bima .
B’nai Mitzvah Day – Mazel Tov! (Remember, it’s the beginning, not the end!)
Friday Night Dinners – Congregation Beth Shalom is offering our congregants the opportunity for Friday night Drop Off Dinners. Drop-off Dinners are dinners that are arranged with a kosher restaurant or caterer which will drop off the food, and we will use our staff to set up the dinner. What a meaningful way to celebrate a simcha, anniversary or birthday! Guests can number up to 120 people. Dinner can be before Friday night services at 5:00 pm or after Friday night services at 7:00 pm. Click on the following links for more detailed information:
For additional information and to reserve your dinner date, please contact Maria Catezone at 847-498-4100 x126.
Again, congratulations on your upcoming Simcha. Please do not hesitate to send me an email if you have any questions regarding this wonderful event in your child’s life.
