Bar/Bat Mitzvah Classes Have your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Schara Tzedeck. The term Bar and Bat Mitzvah actually describes the young man or woman, not the event and it means “a person of responsibility”. The event celebrates the Bar or Bat Mitzvah’s acceptance of their obligations as Jewish Adults.   At Schara Tzedeck our educational program focuses on all the different types of responsibilities and obligations that these young men and women will encounter in their lives and, as we are firm believers that family education is the strongest from of growth, we involve the family to give greater meaning to the process.

Schara Tzedeck Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme Highlights:

This is truly a special time, as each student is able to develop a long lasting bond with the Rabbi:

• Boys and Girls aged 11 – 13 learn with Rabbi Rosenblatt every other Monday throughout the year
• Classes begin at 5:30 with pizza and pop
• Classes are filled with excitement, activities, and field trips
• Two months before a child’s bar/bat mitzvah Rabbi Rosenblatt begins private lessons withy the students in order to facilitate the writing of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah speech and prepare the young person for the actual experience

 Some of the topics covered include:

• Familiarization with the prayers, life cycle events, etc.
• Understanding mitzvoth (commandments)
• Being cool is Jewish
• Peer pressure in secular culture
• The importance of ritual

Specific components of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme:

• Monday Evening Parent Child Bar and Bat Mitzvah classes: 
• These classes give the Rabbi, parents and children opportunity to discuss important topics that are not often covered in day school curricula, but that are essential to being modern Jewish adults.  
• We organize a group chessed (act of kindness) project. 
• Both the discussion about the project and the execution of this chessed help the young men and women develop their sense of community responsibility

• Individual work with Rabbi Rosenblatt: 
• The Rabbi Rosenblatt works individually with each student helping him or her to prepare a class, a Devar Torah (Torah speech) or any other presentation that is part of their celebration.

• Preparation for K'riat Hatorah: 
• Cantor Orzech instructs young men in the reading of the Torah and Haftorah and is committed as well to teaching the skills of leading tefilah (prayers) to those who are interested.

• Individual Chessed Project:
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah students find a way to give back to their community through projects with the Louis Brier Home and Hospital, Jewish Familiy Services, NCSY Schara Tzedeck, Kollel, Jewish Community Centre, Jewish National Fund, Greater Vancouver Jewish Federation or other Jewish agencies. 
• Some of the most successful examples have been: 
  • - Organizing a “skip your lunch for the hungry in Israel” charity program
  • - Regular visits to elders in Louis Brier
  • - The organization of a blanket drive
  • - The production of a special curtain (parochet) for the Aron Kodesh (the Holy Ark) in Schara Tzedeck
• Family learning project: 
• Choose a Jewish text to learn and discuss on Friday night Shabbat dinner. 
• We would suggest Pirke Avot, Ethics of the Fathers or Strive for Truth, and there are many other good choices. 
• These books offer excellent opportunities to discuss the important issues of personal responsibility and life choices as a family and add a special dimension the preparation.

Frequently asked questions

How many aliyot (reading from the Torah) do I get for my child’s celebration of becoming a Bar Mitzvah?	As Schara Tzedeck must also provide aliyot to those celebrating marriage, new births and observing yartzeit, we can only guarantee 3 aliyot to the celebrating family.  Often we exceed this minimum.  We ask you to prepare a list of those you wish to honor in order of priority and we will try to give aliyot to as many as we can. Those who do not get aliyot often receive another honor.
Who provides the candy?	The candies are provided by the family. They are used to “shower the young man or woman with sweets” and must be both Kosher and soft - the Talis only offers so much protection! They can be purchased at London Drugs under the brand Sunkist.
Can I take Photographs?	Photographs may not me taken during services as it violates the Shabbat.  Furthermore, it is considered disrespectful to a Torah Scroll to take it out for pictures alone.  A Torah Scroll can be taken out of the Ark for the purposes of practicing and properly preparing for the reading of the Torah.  Therefore, one may schedule a photographer to take pictures at one of the final practice sessions at which the Torah Scroll is used. Please contact either the Cantor, Joseph Marciano or the Rabbi to coordinate such a practice session and they will be more than willing to assist you.
Are there any special fees for the education?	The Bar and Bat Mitzvah education at Schara Tzedeck is free and is a benefit of Membership.
How do I determine the date of a Bar Mitzvah?	Please call Rabbi Rosenblatt with your child’s birth date (including time of birth) and he will help you to determine the actual date. One can calculate a date from the following site: www.chabad.org/calendar/bar-bat-mitzvah.asp?AID=6227