B'rit Mitzvah at Congregation Kol Haverim
B’rit Mitzvah means “Covenant of the Commandments” and does not specify the gender of the person becoming an adult member of the Jewish community. As such, we will use the term rather than Bar/Bat Mitzvah or B’nai Mitzvah.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah means “one who is responsible for the commandments.” The rite of passage marks the initiation of our thirteen year old children into the religious community and into responsibility for the understanding and observance of the precepts of our tradition. The central feature of this service is our child’s taking the role of Shaliach Tzibur (worship leader). In this role he/she leads our entire congregation in worship and in Torah study. In so doing, our children fulfill the first of what we hope will be a lifetime of mitzvot as a responsible member of our Kehilla (community). Your Congregation and I celebrate with you and your family as you journey towards this momentous occasion. We wish you many happy and fulfilling moments as you make your way towards this important life-cycle event.
B'rit Mitzvah Handbook for Parents: CLICK HERE (PDF file) - Updated to 2022-2023
Our B'rit Mitzvah Handbook is now available online - click on following links to download file in the version you need:
Guide Topics | Word Doc Version | PDF File Version |
Mitvah Project Ideas | mitzvah project ideas.docx | mitzvah project ideas.pdf |
Special Readings | Special Readings for Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations.docx | Special Readings for Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations.pdf |
Parents & Grandparents Readings | parent _ grandparent readings.doc | parent _ grandparent readings.pdf |
Shabbat Eve (Friday) Bar-Bat Mitzvah Reading | Bar-Bat Mitzvah Friday evening reading.docx | Bar-Bat Mitzvah Friday evening reading.pdf |
Order of Service | Bnai Mitzvah order of service for handout-1.docx | Bnai Mitzvah order of service for handout-1.pdf |
Inserts in Invitations and Directions | Inserts in invitations and directions.docx | Inserts in invitations and directions.pdf |
Bnai Mitzvah Pulpit Honors | Bnai Mitzvah Pulpit Honors at Kol Haverim.docx | Bnai Mitzvah Pulpit Honors at Kol Haverim.pdf |
B'rit Mitzvah Tutors Peer Tutors are post B'rit Mitzvah students who prepare our young people to lead the prayers at their service.
Charri Goldman Phil Schlossberg
Torah Blessings
Aliya Blessings (PDF file)
Aliya Blessings Sung by former Rabbi Craig Marantz
Blessing Before the reading of the Torah
Blessing After the reading of the Torah