Bar and Bat Mitzvah Guidelines

Requirements for Eligibility

To be a Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Adath Israel the child must meet the following criteria:

1. Reading knowledge of Hebrew.
2. Knowledge and experience of Friday and Saturday Shabbat services.
3. Knowledge of Jewish holidays, observances, prayers, history and culture.
4. Minimum of 5 years of Jewish education or equivalent. The Rabbi, in conjunction with the Education Committee, will evaluate any child entering the Hebrew school program after grade three for placement into the appropriate grade-level. In trying to keep a child as close to their "age appropriate" grade level as possible, the student may be required to receive remedial tutoring, at additional cost, to bring them up to this grade level. As a Bar Mitzvah also recognizes living a Jewish way of life, a minimum of 3 years active Shul participation is required. There are no exceptions to this minimum time requirement. It’s perfectly acceptable, in Jewish Law, for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah to take place any time after age 13. In any case, all students must demonstrate proficiency as noted in (1) through (3), above.
5. If applicable, a necessary conversion must be performed by the time of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The conversion must be recognized by the Conservative movement. For further information contact the Rabbi.