B'nai Mitzvah Program Overview
Temple Judea joyfully prepares our youngest members to cherish being part of a Jewish community.
As B’nai Mitzvah, our students demonstrate that they are prepared to meaningfully participate in different dimensions of Jewish communal life at Temple Judea and beyond.
IDENTITY & COMMUNAL CONNECTION
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Demonstrate an appreciation of being part of a Jewish community.
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Articulate why their family values being part of a Jewish community.
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Learn about the many dimensions of Jewish life cycle events.
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Appreciate American Jewish history and the special role of Reform Judaism in American Judaism.
PRAYER & SPIRITUALITY
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Appreciate the unique role of Hebrew in Jewish life and be able to decode [sound out] Hebrew words.
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Demonstrate the ability to sing and chant core Jewish prayers.
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Learn to reflect on the themes of core prayers and how those themes relate to modern life.
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Articulate Jewish teachings about God and the meaning of life and reflect on how those ideas relate to the student’s personal beliefs.
TEXTUAL TRADITION
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Learn to read and chant sections of the Torah.
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Explore specific sections of Torah and commentaries related to them.
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Articulate how specific Jewish texts relate to modern issues and questions.
PERSONAL JEWISH PATHWAY
As our students prepare to become B’nai Mitzvah, they identify a Jewish pathway that is of particular personal interest and design and complete ONE of the following projects:
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Mitzvah Service Project - B’nai Mitzvah students initiate or participate in one or more activities that will meaningfully help someone in need.
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Tikkun Olam Social Justice Project - B’nai Mitzvah students design or participate in one or more activities that will meaningfully address an issue close to their hearts.
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Tzedakah Fundraising Project - B’nai Mitzvah students raise money for a purpose close to their hearts.
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Talmud Torah Study & Teach Project - B’nai Mitzvah students choose a subject related to their Jewishness to study and teach.
B’nai Mitzvah students share the nature of their projects, their projects' rationale, and the project outcomes at their B'nai Mitzvah.