BJCC Bar/Bat Mitzvah Regulations


    Preconditions
  • The family of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child must be paid members of the BJCC.
  • The child must take full advantage of the educational program of the BJCC during the three years prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. Substitution of an equivalent education elsewhere must be approved by the Board.


    Preparation
  • The child must attend Shabbat services at least twice a month during the year prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. It is strongly urged that at least one parent attend regularly with the child.
  • In the event that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child is not trained under the auspices of the BJCC, the community requires, at the minimum that:
  • The child is educated about the history and meaning of the traditional prayers (e.g., through Bechol Levavcha).
  • The child is prepared to lead some portion of the service.
  • The child reads the maftir from the Torah scroll. (The community strongly recommends that the child read at least 21 lines divided into 7 aliyot, meeting the family’s obligation to provide the Torah reading.)
  • The child reads the Haftarah in English or Hebrew.
  • The child delivers a dvar torah, an explication of the Torah or Haftarah, portion.
  • In addition, the BJCC urges that the child and family participate together in a tzedakah project of their choice during the preparatory year.
  • (The family should consult the Board to make sure that private training is consistent with ritual and worship likely to occur at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.)


    Use of the building
  • The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is responsible for obtaining and paying for any additional equipment or chairs they require.
  • The family may use the BJCC kitchen for their celebration. Only dairy food may be served in the BJCC building.
  • The family is responsible for ensuring that both the upstairs and downstairs are clean and in order by the evening immediately following the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
  • Babysitting arrangements can be made in consultation with the ritual committee.


    Services
  • A Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is held in the BJCC building and open to all members.
  • The service must generally conform to the community practice during the year. BJCC prayer books are Gates of Prayer (Reform) and Sim Shalom (Conservative).
  • The family may choose to have the service led by an individual who is not a regular ritual leader at the BJCC. This person is required to have the skills and ability to provide an appropriate prayer environment.
  • The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family is responsible for providing a competent Torah reader so that seven individuals may be called to the Torah.
  • The family may wish to prepare booklets with copies of the Torah and Haftarah selections. It is the responsibility of the family to obtain relevant copyright permission. All such booklets should he taken home after the ceremony; please take care in respecting the copied texts.
  • No pictures whatsoever may be taken prior to or during the Bar/Eat Mitzvah service. A video camera may be placed on a tripod and turned on provided no adjustments are made during the ceremony. Photographs can be taken once the sanctuary is empty.
  • The Bar/Bat Mitzvah family must provide wine for kiddush after a Shabbat ceremony.


    Notification
  • Twelve months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family must request a date in writing from the Board. Any exceptions to these rules must be requested at that time.