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At TAL TORAH, Bar Mitzvah education is an exciting and dynamic process of intellectual, emotional and spiritual awakening. A young man is taking his place within the historic and eternal Jewish people. He deserves, requires even, a journey of self-discovery and learning that will help him emerge knowledgeable, responsible and deeply rooted in his Jewish identity. We want each young man to feel ready and eager to be part of the community that welcomes and celebrates his coming of age. TAL TORAH's Bar Mitzvah Program is open to boys and their families from diverse Jewish backgrounds and all streams of religious observance and invites each family to design its own meaningful program in preparation for this special occasion in their son's life. Each student chooses the focus for his learning which may include the parsha and/or other topics from Tanach and Jewish history. He may also learn to chant Torah, Haftorah or the Megillot in Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yeminite, or Mizrachi styles. Learning in the Bar Mitzvah Program may include: |
- Writing a dvar Torah based on each student's individualized learning
- Learning to chant the Bar Mitzvah Torah portion, Haftorah or the Megillot
- Creative-expression projects flowing from a student's Torah learning: creative-arts projects in painting, ceramics, drama or even leading a family hike.
By custom designing each student's learning program, we are able to accommodate and enhance each student's individual learning style and support their search for meaning and connection to the Jewish people.
Often, parents will learn with their sons. Conversations and discussions are guided in a "chevruta style" so parent and child can each bring their own unique learning style and questions to bear on the text as a more mature relationship is formed between study partners. These Torah discussions often continue at home and become conversations for life.
In the last ten years, we have learned with over one hundred Bar Mitzvah families. In addition to studying Torah with each student, we have also had the pleasure of helping many families design their own unique family celebrations, each family according to their special cultural and religious backgrounds and according to the special wishes and requirements of their sons.
The TAL TORAH Bar Mitzvah program is especially suited to families with children of special needs. Classes are available in Hebrew and English.