The bar and bat mitzvah committee, aka bar/t committee, oversees the bar and bat mitzvah process at Congregation Etz Chayim. The committee works on bar/t scheduling, policy, and the overall bar/t process.

The committee includes the rabbi, the educational director, representatives from the religious practices committee and the education committee, and interested congregants. Meetings are held several times a year, and sometimes break out groups are set up to study a particular issue. For example, a recent group was formed to try to figure out ways to have more options for tutoring students on their individual Torah portions and Haftarah readings and to reduce the costs to our families. Another recent effort is working with the youth education committee to better integrate the congregation’s goals. We also occasionally meet to address concerns for individual families when problems arise.

Each year, the bar/t committee sends letters to families whose children will be 11 years old during the coming year. The packet includes information about bar and bat mitzvahs at Etz Chayim, including who to call with questions! The established process for selecting dates includes many factors, and we strive to have families end up with a date that is meaningful for them.

Becoming a bar/t mitzvah at Etz Chayim is a very exciting time for all of us. Our congregation was founded on the principle of education – and during the bar/t process, we all learn! The bar/t student, the family, the rabbi and educator who work closely with the student and families, as well as the congregation which learns from the student’s commentary on his/her Torah portion during the service. And with each bar/t mitzvah, we get to welcome a new Jewish adult and Torah reader to Etz Chayim and the Jewish community!

Community building is another huge piece of the bar/t process, and many of our members have formed lasting friendships going through the bar/t process. A shared experience through religious school, Shabbat services, Shabbat  inners and family classes all help to create community. There is nothing like working in the kitchen setting up an oneg for a fellow bar/t mate to build friendships!

The bar/t committee is here to support our bar/t families in any way
we can. If you would like to join the committee contact us.

Elissa Kaplan and Susan Casner Kay
Bar/t Committee Chairs