Please read the Educational Requirements for Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Dear Friends –

One of our greatest pleasures is the opportunity we have to learn with youngsters on the verge of their teen years. In that regard, each of us plays a key role in preparing the children of Sinai Temple to become Bar and Bat Mitzvah and then move on into further learning in our 8th, 9th, and Tenth Grade programs. Cantor Mekler works individually with each child on the reading and chanting of prayers plus the Torah and Haftarah portions. Rabbi Shapiro meets with each Bar/Bat Mitzvah family privately to shape their service experience and then works as well with each child individually. We enrich the whole process in Sixth Grade with a weekend retreat for all students and then continue with special programming through Seventh Grade. By the time a child is ready to participate in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service, we know that child well. We know the family well, and we hope that the process has been sacred and beautiful for everyone. If you have any questions for either of us, please be in touch. We think the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process at Sinai can truly be a milestone in your family’s Jewish life!

Shalom,
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro
Cantor Emily Sleeper Mekler