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B'nai Mitzvah Information

The time of becoming B’nai Mitzvah is a sacred occasion celebrated by our entire congregation. At Beth El, we do our utmost to assure that the B’nai Mitzvah experience is a positive, nurturing, and deeply moving one. All children, regardless of ability or knowledge of Hebrew, are encouraged to go through the time-honored ritual of being called to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Congregation Beth El is affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, therefore, we adhere to their requirements for B’nai Mitzvah which is five years of Hebrew School classes starting in Gimmel (3rd Grade) or attendance at a Jewish day school.

Our children are tutored months in advance of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date, supervised by our Hazzan and our talented and devoted tutors.

Each of our B’nai Mitzvah children learn about their Torah portion with the Rabbis and write a D’var Torah to share their insight on their parsha.

The students and their parents attend Tallit and T’fillin sessions with the clergy. These six sessions include breakfast, discussion, education, and preparation to help the child and parent gain a comfort level with the Siddur and the service.

B’nai Mitzvah and Beyond is a two-session class where parents learn the deeper meaning of being called to the Torah as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah; parents are invited to help their child prepare the D’var Torah.

The children are also required to participate in the 13 Mitzvot Program, where they broaden their knowledge of Judaism and perform acts of study, ritual, and kindness. Each child also selects his/her own special tzedakah project.

During the school semester preceding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, every student will take a weekly, hour-long class with Rabbi Englander where he/she will study fundamentals of Jewish identity and observance. The goal is for students to understand the meaning of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Six to eight weeks before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, each family (parent(s)/guardian(s) and student) will meet with our Clergy to discuss the Torah portion and D’Var Torah guidelines. An individual course of study is then given to the student, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) work with the student to write the D’var Torah as well as select and research the tzedakah project. The D’var Torah is delivered at the service. The goals for both the D’var Torah and tzedakah projects are to make the Bar/Bat Mitzvah more of a family process and to keep the emphasis on mitzvot.

Four to six weeks before the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, each family (parent(s)/guardian(s) and student) will meet with Rabbi Englander to distribute family honors, talk about the service, and share family reflections with him.

As their special day draws near, the students practice in the sanctuary with our Cantor, where they hone their skills, expand their comfort level, and are encouraged to continue Hazzan Pomerant’z Boro’s tradition to be “loud and proud!”

Facilities

Congregation Beth El is proud to offer the largest social hall housed in a synagogue setting in Southern New Jersey.

  • Our exquisite Social Hall has seating for 450, with a 1300 sq. foot dance floor and a large landscaped courtyard with paved patio for outdoor celebrations.
  • Imported Jerusalem stone and marble throughout the entry and expansive lobby set the tone for your elegant affair.
  • The Sanctuary has warm cherry wood accents, stained glass windows and comfortable theatre style seats.
  • Beth El is located just two hours north of Baltimore, 90 minutes outside of New York City and 30 minutes from Philadelphia.
  • Work with our phenomenal in-house caterer, Chef Shavit Moshe

Our facility can provide a most beautiful setting for your special event!

Click here to view a gallery of photos of our event spaces.

Click here to complete our facility rental form.

Click here to learn more about our catering options.

If you would like additional information about our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, please contact us or call the office at 856-675-1166.

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