Resources for b’nei mitzvah students if you’re not at home:

• Torah portions: https://www.sefaria.org/topics/category/torah-portions

At East End Temple, we view b’nei mitzvah in the greater context of one’s Jewish life and Jewish education. Rather than approaching this as an ending point of learning, it as a significant marker in the education and Jewish life of our students. The emphasis of the experience is put on the learning process, on the weekly accomplishments of the students, on their pride in working diligently and thoughtfully on learning prayers, blessings, Torah and Haftarah portions as well as the d’var Torah.

This process is made richer and more meaningful by family participation and involvement. Studying the portion together helps to emphasize the value of lifelong learning and models to our students the true lessons and values within the Torah. We emphasize the excitement and pride each student feels in themselves as they progress, engaging in significant studies, confidently leading services, and reading from the Torah. In this way, it is the quality and experience of learning that each student undertakes, not only the service itself, that we celebrate on the day of the b’nei mitzvah.

Requirements

• B’nei mitzvah is only open to members of East End Temple.
• It is understood that all students who are becoming b’nei mitzvah at East End Temple are raised solely in the Jewish tradition.
• Students are required to have three years of participation in the East End Temple religious school or its equivalent prior to becoming b’nei mitzvah, in addition to two years of b’nei mitzvah tutoring.
• Students must fulfill all religious school requirements, including regular attendance, participation, and completion of work.
• Note that students who join the religious school later than the 4th grade may require additional tutoring in Hebrew beyond that offered by the religious school.