Adult B'nei Mitzvah

There are many reasons why one may not have celebrated the milestone of Bar/Bat Mitzvah at age thirteen. Perhaps the ritual was not available to the girls in one’s community. Perhaps one joined the Jewish people through conversion in adulthood. Perhaps one simply had different priorities at a younger age. Whatever the reason, if you have not previously celebrated Bar/Bat Mitzvah, we invite you to do so as part of an Adult B’nai Mitzvah service at KKBE next Shavuot! The service will take place on Wednesday, June 12 at 10:00 am.
 
Class sessions will take place with Rabbi Alexander on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. beginning in the fall (exact dates to be determined). Requirements to enroll in the class:
 

• Basic familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet. (Note: If you have never learned Hebrew, the URJ is currently enrolling a true beginner’s course! Ten online class sessions with experienced Hebrew educators and a community of learners, coupled with independent practice between sessions, will enable students to master the alef-bet. April-June 2023; 10 one-hour sessions, $225. Click here to register.)
   
• Commitment to attend the full year of the class, which will be broken into two semesters:

Fall Semester – Liturgy
Over the course of eight weeks, we’ll study eight different prayers from the Shabbat morning service together. We’ll look at their origins, meaning, choreography, and function in the service. And, of course, we’ll practice reading, chanting, and/or singing them, as well. At the end of eight weeks, students will each select one prayer which they will lead in the Adult B’nei Mitzvah service. Everyone will prepare to recite the Torah blessings together.
 
Spring Semester – Torah
In these eight weeks, we will learn about the reading and study of Torah in the context of a Shabbat morning service. Topics will include how a Torah scroll is made, cantillation (the system of marks which gives punctuation and melody to the chanting of Torah), the cycle of reading Torah, and how to prepare a D’var Torah (a teaching from the Torah). By the end of eight weeks, students will each be assigned at least 3 verses to chant from Torah, and begin work on a brief D’var Torah, to share with the congregation during the Adult B’nei Mitzvah service.
 
To enroll, contact Rabbi Alexander at rabbia@kkbe.org.
The cost of this class for both semesters is $50, which covers class materials. Class participants must be KKBE Members in Good Standing.