Timeline
This page of the website briefly outlines the two years before your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, highlighting the points in your preparation and planning that you should be addressing at about that time.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planner
Three years before…
- Your child is registered for AND attending religious school!
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date assigned.
- Attend Next Steps Planning Meeting and receive an overview of online materials.
12 – 18 Months before…
- Receive and fulfill obligatory Shabbat Ambassador and Kiddush serving assignments. You are required to help others, as you will be helped.
Approximately 1 Year before…
- Your child is registered for AND attending religious school!
- Attend Mechina (Trope) Class on Sunday mornings with your child (9 sessions).
- BM will be assigned a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor during Mechina class.
- Depending on the month of your Simcha – attend B’nai Mitzvah Planning Meeting and review online materials.
- Choose a “3 Pillars” Mitzvah Project – Contact Cantor Steve to set up a meeting to discuss your child’s “3 Pillars” Project.
After Mechina (Trope) Class is complete…
- Begin weekly tutoring sessions, which will continue until the week of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Stay in contact with your child’s tutor to remain current on his or her progress.
- Begin attending Shabbat morning services with your child to become familiar with the service and help you and your child set expectations for their participation on their day.
6 Months Before…
- Your child is registered for AND attending religious school!
- Depending on the month of your Simcha – attend B’nai Mitzvah Planning Meeting and review online materials.
- Continue communication with your child’s tutor to stay current on progress, discuss goals for the day of the service, Friday evening service participation, etc.
- Arrange with our B’nai Mitzvah coordinator, Randi Simon, regarding Torah readings for other family members who can and would like to read.
- Make sure your child is on track with the “3 Pillars” Project requirements.
- Attend Shabbat services more frequently to build familiarity
- Acquire tallit for your child (required for boys; encouraged for girls).
4 Months Before…
- Contact Randi Simon regarding Shabbat Kiddush (optional at this time due to COVID-19 protocols at CBS) and complete the signed contract for the Kiddush or provide Snack Bags (recommended, but also optional).
- Set up time for pictures with Maria.
- Stay current on your child’s progress both with tutor and 3 Pillars Program.
2 – 3 Months Before…
- Through the Clergy Assistant, set up a meeting with our Assistant Rabbi to review timetables, logistics and various ritual topics, including the Aliyah-Honor Sheet. You receive 3 Aliyot at the Torah and ark opening in addition to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s Aliyah and an Ark opening. Participants must be Jewish and over BM age. A younger sibling may lead a blessing, such as Kiddush/Motzi).
- Through the Clergy Assistant, schedule your final run through of the service with Rabbi Melman within 1-2 weeks of your simcha.
- Randi contacts you to discuss the menu and count for Kiddush (if applicable).
6– 8 Weeks Before…
- Parents – Work on Parents’ Prayer for your child. You are encouraged to write something original based on the examples, which are available on the CBS website.
2 -4 Weeks Before …
- Turn in the Aliyah-Honor sheet.
- Provide your final Kiddush count to Randi.
1 -2 Weeks Before …
- Have your final run through of the service with Rabbi Melman.
- Complete your commitments for the “3 Pillars” Project and hand in any written/display materials to Cantor Steve.
The week of…
- Remain calm. Your child is well prepared and everything will run smoothly!
- Take pictures and video as previously scheduled through Maria in the office.
- If you are ordering kippot, drop them off to the CBS Office.
The Shabbat of …
- Attend and participate in Friday evening services with family (optional).
- Arrive at the synagogue by 9:00 AM Saturday morning.
- Hug and kiss your child. Tell your child you love them and that you are proud.
- Smile and enjoy the service…it all goes by so quickly. 🙂
Click on the links below to access our information B’nai Mitzvah timelines and planners:
