About the Bat Mitzvah
We feel incredibly fortunate to have friends and family from different backgrounds joining us to celebrate this special milestone in Abby’s life. We hope the information provided here is helpful.
What is a Bat Mitzvah?
“Bat / Bar / B'nai Mitzvah” means “daughter / son / children of the commandment.” This custom of the Jewish faith is a traditional coming of age ceremony marking the point in a child’s life when they are considered an “adult” (for religious purposes) who is responsible for their own actions and observance of religious obligations, such as adherence to the various commandments (the “Mitzvot.”) Typically, b’nai mitzvah are celebrated at the age of 13, although in some traditions, girls may celebrate at the age of 12. Abby’s 13th birthday will be about a week after her bat mitzvah.
The Services:
In connection with Abby’s bat mitzvah, there will be both a Friday night and a Saturday morning service at the synagogue. Both services include prayer, music, and moments of reflection. During the bat mitzvah ceremony on Saturday morning, Abby and another bat mitzvah student will join the clergy to help lead the congregation in prayer and song.
A highlight of the Saturday morning service is the b’nai mitzvah student’s reading from the Torah, a traditional hand-scribed scroll also known as the Five Books of Moses. Abby will chant her Torah portion in Hebrew, and she also will chant a portion of the “Haftarah,” a selection from the books of the Prophets. In addition, Abby will share her thoughts on the meaning and relevance of the scriptures she’s read and how they apply to her own life.
Arrival time:
The Friday evening service begins at 6:30 PM. Abby’s participation will be more limited in this service compared to Saturday morning, so guests should consider attendance on Friday night optional, although you are welcome to attend.
The Saturday morning service begins at 10:30 AM, and Abby will take part from the start. We recommend arriving 10 -15 minutes early, if possible. That said, it’s common for guests to arrive after the service begins or to leave before it concludes. Some people also choose to step out of the sanctuary during the service for a short break. Please feel free to do whatever is most comfortable for you.
Attire:
“What should I wear to the temple?” is probably the question we’ve been asked the most so far, and we’re happy to address it here. The synagogue specifically states that they do not have a dress code. Our general recommendation for our guests is to wear clothes you would wear in any house of worship.
Men: in our congregation, attire ranges from suit or sport jacket and tie, to dress pants with a collared shirt, to slacks and a collared shirt.
Women: dresses, skirts, or dressy pants are all appropriate.
Wearing a “kippah” as a head covering during the service is entirely optional for people of any faith. Kippot (plural for kippah) will be available in the sanctuary for anyone who would like one, but there is no expectation to wear one.
Some Jewish men and women also may choose to wear a prayer shawl (a “tallit”) during the Saturday morning service. (These are traditionally worn by only clergy on Friday evenings.) Wearing a tallit also is completely optional.
RSVP and Attending Services:
Abby has invited many friends to join in the celebration. Parents are welcome to attend services with their child. Please note that the RSVP on the invitation applies only to the Saturday night party.
Abby’s bat mitzvah service also will be livestreamed and archived on the Temple Rodef Shalom website at this link:
https://www.templerodefshalom.org/worship/livestream/
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask