Brit Mitzvah

The term brit mitzvah means “responsible to the commandments”. According to Jewish tradition, children reach this status at the age of twelve and a half to thirteen. Generally, this is considered to be the age at which students develop the ability to take responsibility for their own ethical behavior.

Students work with Rabbi Ariel and their Hebrew tutors to prepare for the day on which they are called to the Torah for the first time. The Shir Tikvah community welcomes these new members on behalf of Am Israel (the People of Israel).

Parent/s and children should make the decision together that marking your child’s commitment to becoming an adult member of the Jewish community in general, and the Shir Tikvah community in particular, is something the family finds meaningful.

Preparations at Shir Tikvah include:

• family membership in good standing for 2 years prior to the event
• weekly meetings with a tutor for a year or more prior to the event
• 1-on-1 meetings with Rabbi Ariel and staff
• attendance at Junior Minyan and Shabbat services the year before the event
• work on a Mitzvah Project during the year after their brit mitzvah

Junior Minyan

As the focus for your student shifts from the classroom to the synagogue, Shir Tikvah offers a specialized time for students to meet with their peers, their teacher and their community for Shabbat prayer and study.

On the second Saturday of most months Junior Minyan will meet at the synagogue. Students and their families will be expected to attend in the year before the student's brit mitzvah. (Parents need to get oriented to Shabbat morning practice as well!) Students are also encouraged to attend services when their peers are being called to the Torah.

Our B'rit Mitzvah Coordinator, Rabbi Rivkah Coburn, will lead students during the first hour, weaving together prayer and Torah study. Students will join Rabbi Ariel and the rest of the community the second hour for the regular morning Shabbat Torah service.