Becoming B'Nei Mitzvah

Background

B’nei mitzvah services include a Friday evening erev (night before) Shabbat service at either 6 or 8 PM (depending on the time of year) and a Shabbat (Saturday) morning Torah service.  The Saturday service is the “main attraction” for your kid, but your family participates in the Friday evening service, as well.

Friday Evening

Your family will kindle the Shabbat candles.  The b’nei mitzvah child will chant Kiddush and another prayer.  That’s it. The rest is up to the clergy.

Saturday Morning

It may seem amazing to you now, but your child will actually lead Shabbat morning worship with support of the clergy, including: 

• Blessings and prayers in Hebrew

• Solo and responsive readings in English

• Torah and Haftarah chanting and d’var (text explication)

Your main responsibilities include:

• Familiarity with the prayer service

• Assigning honors

• Delivering a blessing for your child