September 08, 2010   29 Elul 5770
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A Timeline to Your Big Day  
  • Approximately 3 years
    • Receive Date for B’nei mitzvah
  • 1 year
    • Learn Shabbat Prayers with Cantor
    • Attend family education with Rabbi, Cantor, Educator and select Torah portion
    • Pay Temple fees for Bar/Bat mitzvah

  • Summer before
    • Schedule first meeting with Cantor
    • Receive letters scheduling your dates for ushering

  • 10 months before
    • Begin required service attendance (hand cards to Cantor Neff)
    • Decide whether you would like to write your own creative service.  If so, contact Rabbi Beal

  • 5 Months to Bar/Bat Mitzvah Date
    • Weekly meetings with Cantor
    • Continue attendance at required Sabbath services
    • Maintain regular attendance at Religious School
    • Order Tallit, kippot, etc.

  • 2-3 Months
    • Hebrew Prayers should be mastered
    • Meet with Rabbi Beal

  • 2 Months
    • Arrange for photographs and Oneg with Temple Administrator
    • If you wish to print booklets, download the template here and ask Cantor Neff for a printout of the Torah pages.
      • you can look up the Hebrew date of your ceremony here
    • Learn a special solo song, if you choose

  • 1 Month
    • The Student should
      • Complete D'var Torah and Write Creative Prayer with Rabbi Beal’s guidance
      • Begin rehearsing from the Torah scroll
      • Complete all study, mitzvot, and service attendance requirements
      • Complete “very” mitzvah

    • The Parents should
      • Make sure all Temple fees have been paid
      • Receive rehearsal DVD from Cantor Neff
      • Confirm your honors (Ark openers, Alliyah, Hagbah and G’lilah participants)
      • Send form with the Hebrew names of Participants
        • you can download the form here
        • you can email your form here
      • Arrange for ushering for Saturday service
      • Arrange for rehearsal with Hilary Schwartz
      • Arrange for Rehearsal(s) with George Bryant(2 if you are singing a solo, 1 if not)
      • Print Booklets (if using)
      • Order Bima Display, flowers, food

  • 10 Days
    • Attend Rehearsal with Hilary Schwartz
    • Confirm Bima Display, flower delivery, oneg details

  • Final week
    • Take pictures in the sanctuary (remember to reserve with Temple administrator)
    • Rehearse with organist
  • 1 Day
    • Bring Kippot and Pins to Temple
    • Bring Bima Flowers / Baskets
    • Bring Creative Prayer or Words to your solo to the Friday night service

  • Bar/Bat Mitzvah Day
    • Bring D’var Torah, Haftorah, Prayer Book, creative prayer or song
    • Bring Tallit
    • Relax and enjoy this rite of passage!

B'nei Mitzvah Resources from the URJ  


330 North Highland Ave, Upper Nyack, NY 10960
Phone: (845) 358-2248 / Fax: (845) 358-3450 
Website questions or comments: webmaster@templebethtorah.org.
Union for Reform Judaism  

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Union for
Reform Judaism