MAZEL TOV!

INTRODUCTION 

Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your child’s life. According to Jewish tradition, a Bat and Bar Mitzvah reflects a major turning point, indeed a new beginning, in the life of a Jewish girl and boy, and as such, one should celebrate this milestone in a meaningful manner and with great joy.

Our goal at Chabad is to provide your family the opportunity to celebrate this special simchah in a manner that is joyous and inspirational for both the Bat and Bar Mitzvah child and their family. With this goal in mind, we offer a flexible framework for this special occation which is tailored to the each child and family, specifically and individually. We urge parents to contact the Rabbis about one year before the Bat or Bar Mitzvah date. At that time a meeting will be scheduled to determine the exact Bat or Bar Mitzvah date, to enroll them in the Bat Mitzvah Club or Bar Mitzvah Program and to go over the procedures and options presented below.

BAT/BAR MITZVAH – BECOMING A JEWISH ADULT
Bat or Bar Mitzvah literally means "Daughter or Son of the Mitzvot," which describes a young woman or man now responsible to fulfill all commandments. A boy attains mental maturity at 13 years of age and therefore becomes Bar mitzvah on his 13th birthday. Girls on the other hand mature earlier than boys, at 12 years of age, and therefore become Bat Mitzvah on their 12th birthday. At these respective ages, young girls and boys gain the intellectual maturity to discern between right and wrong and the ability to modify their behavior accordingly.

It is important to know that a Jewish girl and boy become Bat or Bar Mitzvah automatically, on their twelveth and thirteenth birthday, with or without a party. However, since this occasion is cause for great celebration and gratitude to G‑d, it is a great mitzvah to celebrate and mark the occasion properly.

CELEBRATING AT CHABAD COMMUNITY SHUL 
The opportunity to celebrate a Bat or Bar Mitzvah at Chabad Community Shul is available to all children who are Jewish according to Jewish Law, which means to be born of a Jewish mother or have been converted to Judaism according to Jewish Law. Please consult the Rabbis if you have any questions.

SYNAGOGUE AFFILIATION 
While Chabad does offer membership opportunities, we believe that going to Shul is the birthright of each and every Jew. Accordingly formal membership is not required in order for your child to celebrate their Bat or Bar Mitzvah at Chabad Community Shul. Fees however will vary.

SERVICE ATTENDENCE REQUIREMENTS 
We do require that the Bat Mitzvah girl or Bar Mitzvah boy regularly attend Shabbat services at Chabad Community Shul during the six months prior to their Bat or Bar Mitzvah. Aside from the importance in general of getting your child used to attending services this will make them more comfortable with the flow of the service, and to help make this special day more meaningful.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 
We also require that your child enroll in either the Bat Mitzvah Club or the Bar Mitzvah Program as part of their prepartion for their Bat or Bar Mitzvah at Chabad Community Shul.

Call us for details at 516-739-3636! We are here to help you have the most beautiful and meaningful event possible!