Bar Mitzvah Lessons Registration Form

Mazel Tov! Your son's 13th birthday is coming soon, and it's time to start planning his Bar Mitzvah. First things first: What exactly is a Bar Mitzvah?

Contrary to popular belief, it's not (just) a party or a prayer service. It's a transition. "Bar Mitzvah" is Hebrew for "a boy [who is] obligated in the commandments". The moment your son turns 13, he gets all the rights and obligations of a full fledged Jewish adult. All the commandments of the Torah now apply to him.

To demonstrate his new status, the Bar Mitzvah milestone is traditionally celebrated with a ceremony in the synagogue, where your son will wear a Tallit (and Tefillin on weekdays), and lead a prayer, showing his participation as an adult member of the Jewish community.

But remember, those are just the trappings. The main thing is that another Jew has joined the ranks of his eternal people. 

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  WHAT HAPPENS AT A BAR MITZVAH SERVICE?

  A typical Bar Mitzvah service includes:

  • Prayers

  • Traditional songs

  • Speeches delivered by the Rabbi, the Bar Mitzvah boy, parents, and family members.

  • Breakfast, lunch or dinner.

  Your son may do as much as lead an entire service, many prayers, read the Torah and Haftorah, or as little as just being called up to the Torah for an Aliyah (reciting 2 blessings), or anything in between.

  This will be determined by your expectations, your son's level of Hebrew knowledge and the time remaining before his Bar Mitzvah. Most Bar Mitzvah boys who graduate Chabad Hebrew School are called up for an Aliyah and read the Torah or Haftorah and its blessings.

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  LESSONS

  During private lessons with the rabbi, your son will learn:

  • How to chant the Torah/Haftorah reading (time permitting)

  • How to don the Tallit and Tefillin

  • The meaning and background behind the Bar Mitzvah traditions and rituals, as well as the content of his Torah portion, which will form the basis for his Bar Mitzvah speech

  We also strongly encourage that your son choose a Tzedakah or Mitzvah project (such as volunteering his time or raising money for a charitable organization) in honor of his Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi Mendel will discuss the Mitzvah Project concept during your son's first few lessons.

  Our main goal is to make your son's journey as enjoyable, stimulating and meaningful as possible.

  A Bar Mitzvah Certificate will be given upon the completion of the Bar Mitzvah.

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  CEREMONY OPTIONS

  There are two types of services to choose from:

  1) Sunday Ceremony: The Sunday Ceremony includes:

  • Teffilin donning by the Bar Mitzvah boy

  • Select Prayers led by the Bar Mitzvah boy

  • Bar Mitzvah boy delivers a speech, followed by his parents and the Rabbi.

  • Cup of Blessing Ceremony- a wonderful time to honor friends and relatives in the service.

    The Ceremony is approximately 45 minutes long, and is typically followed by a meal. Because it is not on Shabbat, photography, videos and microphones are permitted.

    2) Shabbat Morning Service: The Shabbat service begins at 10:00 AM and roughly follows this schedule.

    • 10:00 AM - Service begins

    • 11:00 am - Opening of the Ark and Torah reading
      The Bar Mitzvah boy carries the Torah to the Bimah, then reads his portion at the appropriate time.

    • 11:45 am - Prayer services continue with Musaf

    • 12:00pm- Speech
      The Bar Mitzvah boy addresses the audience, incorporating lessons from his Torah portion and Mitzvah Project. The Rabbi will also share some thoughts at this time.

    • 12:15 pm - Kiddush Lunch
      The Bar Mitzvah family sponsors a Kiddush or a full luncheon (menu options and cost breakdown are discussed separately). 

      Parents and other family members are welcome to share speeches/toasts during the Kiddush.

  3) Havdallah Ceremony: Begins 1 hour after the end of Shabbat (this option is primarily for the winter months). It includes:

  • Havdallah - including the blessings, spice smelling, and fire blessing. If the Bar Mitzvah boy enjoys playing an instrument, this can be a beautiful way to incorporate that into the Bar Mitzvah celebration.

  • Select Prayers led by the Bar Mitzvah boy.

  • Bar Mitzvah boy delivers a speech, followed by his parents and the Rabbi.

    The Ceremony is approximately 45 minutes long, and is typically followed by a meal. Because it is not on Shabbat, photography, videos and microphones are permitted.

    If you wish to have a weekday service with a reading of the Torah, please reach out after submitting the informational form. The cup of blessing ceremony can also be incorporated into other services, in addition to the Sunday service.

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    ADDITIONAL INFO

    • The Bar Mitzvah service should be held on or anytime after your son's 13th Jewish birthday (see below).

    • Food at the ceremony must be certified Kosher, you will receive a list of approved vendors/options.

    • You will need to purchase a pair of authentically kosher Tefillin (written and fashioned by reliable experts) for your son. We have Tefillin available for purchase at Chabad, and we can direct you to other places to order tefillin. No other Tefillin should be bought without consultation with the Rabbi.

    • Aliyot and additional honors are traditionally bestowed on the family and close friends of the Bar Mitzvah family. You will receive a form to fill out this information as the celebration gets closer.

    • If there are any special Judaica heirlooms in the family (Tallit, Torah pointer etc.), you may choose to use or display them during the service.