Beit Mitzvah
The Beit Mitzvah Program at CRC is a special and memorable experience for the student, their family and friends, and the whole CRC community.
Beit Mitzvah Info & Materials
This important Jewish "coming of age" ritual marks a young person’s engagement with the array of Jewish knowledge, communities, ethics, and traditions.
Aligning with CRC’s value of inclusivity, we offer a variety of terms to describe your special day such as Bar Mitzah/Bat Mitzvah, and gender neutral options including: Beit Mitzvah, B-Mitzvah, B’nai Mitzvah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Simchat Mitzvah.
Preparing for a beit mitzvah at CRC is a process, and each young person is supported at every step by CRC's rabbis, staff, educators, and Board. While the beit mitzvah service will take place around age 12-13, most families begin preparing as early as 5th grade.
Adult Beit Mitzvah
In traditional Jewish culture, turning thirteen marks the responsibility to follow the mitzvot (commandments) of Torah. This was the Beit Mitzvah and it happened with or without ceremony. In today's culture, it has become common for young people to have an event around their Beit Mitzvah.
Much of the information on our Beit Mitzvah pages is centered around thirteen year olds, but you can have a Beit Mitzvah event at any age. In fact it is traditional for Jews to have a second Beit Mitzvah at age 83. If you are interested in having an adult Beit Mitzvah, please call the temple and make an appointment to discuss this with one of the rabbis.
Becoming a Beit Mitzvah
Timeline
4th grade, January after winter break: Beit Mitzvah date sign-up forms mailed.
4th Grade, Spring semester: Beit Mitzvah workshop - receive Binder and Portion Booklet.
5th-6th grade: Student continues to attend Hebrew School and attend some Shabbat services.
6th grade: Begin working with Rabbis on d'var Torah (teaching on student's Torah portion). Family should attend Shabbat morning services together.
6th Grade Workshop, Spring semester: Each student has an individualized prayer/service book (siddur). Begin collecting quotes for your siddur. It is customary to provide the kiddush following a Beit Mitzvah. It's time to start planning this -- contact shalom@centralreform.org for the next steps or to begin planning to have a beit mitzvah party at CRC.
9 months - 1 year prior to date: First meeting with Rabbi (student and parent/s attend)
8-9 months prior to date: Contact Maxine Weil, maxine@centralreform.org to start working with a Beit Mitzvah tutor.
6-9 months prior to date: Select Mitzvah project. CRC's Rabbis and staff may be consulted if you need help with project ideas.
5 months before: Marian Rosen will contact you with information about preparing your child's siddur.
2 months before: Marian will send you the checklist, livestream invitation instructions and template.
3 weeks before: First Rehearsal.
1 week before: Final Rehearsal.
Beit Mitzvah: Attend teen programs (7th-12th grades) and chant blessings at High Holy Day services!
What do you want to call your special day?
Aligning with CRC’s value of inclusivity, we offer a variety of terms to describe your special day such as Bar Mitzah/Bat Mitzvah, and gender neutral options including: Beit Mitzvah, B-Mitzvah, B’nai Mitzvah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Simchat Mitzvah.
Check out this wonderful link for more information:
Choosing a Mitzvah Project
Tikkun olam - repair of the world - is a core value at CRC, and an important part of having a beit mitzvah is the mitzvah project. This is a project, chosen by the student, which gives him or her an opportunity to give back to the community and help someone else. CRC students have chosen a wide range of mitzvah projects, including making gift bags for children in the hospital, collecting donations for an animal shelter, and bringing a screening of an important film to St. Louis.
We encourage beit mitzvah students and their families to think about the mitzvah project early in the process. Because some mitzvah projects take time to arrange, planning ahead will give you the best opportunity to participate in a project that is meaningful to you.
The CRC rabbis are a great resource for mitzvah project ideas and can be consulted when you meet with them.
Beit Mitzvah Siddur Preparation
One of the unique parts of having a beit mitzvah at CRC is that each student creates their own prayer book, called a siddur, to be used during the service. While the Shabbat prayers remain the same, each student personalizes the book with that week’s Torah and Haftarah portions and their own readings and images.
The steps to create your personal Siddur are
1. Download and Open the Siddur Template
Click on the file you want to download:
2. Customize Your Siddur
Directions for customizing your Siddur are in the templates provided.
- Please prepare your siddur's text in Microsoft Word. If you use a non-standard font, let the Siddur Coordinator know.
- When choosing pictures remember that, per the rabbis’ request, the front cover picture cannot be of your child. For the collage on the back cover, 10 or less photos is optimal.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Marian Rosen at siddurcoordinator@centralreform.org.
3. We Print Your Siddur
Central Reform Congregation provides you with siddur production services. Our capabilities include: full color covers, editing, formatting, proofing, collage-making, and printing.
Note to tutors: Torah and Haftarah portions are available here.