YourJewish seeks to guide young people on the journey of becoming B' Mitzvah who wouldn’t otherwise have a path to do so for a wide range of reasons. Our goal is to meet folks where they are and work with families to craft the celebration that best fits their needs. We offer multiple paths for our B’ Mitzvah program. Each path can be done individually or in a small group of 2-4 students. Families will work with Rabbi Avrin, and/or one of our tutors, to schedule appointments at times that work for their schedule. For ease of scheduling, most sessions occur virtually, though a balance of in-person/virtual is something families can work out together with Rabbi Avrin. It is always best to meet in person toward the beginning to establish a relationship.
The best time to start these paths is 10-12 months before the B' Mitzvah date. If you have a child who is more than 12 months away from B' Mitzvah, and you are looking for private, or small group tutoring, please scroll down to see our option for Pre-B' Mitzvah Tutoring, or consider joining one of our small groups for families.
Path 1: Traditional
Prepare for a worship service that includes a Torah reading by the student.
In addition to preparing a Torah reading, the student might also do the following:
- Deliver a D’var Torah (speech/sermon about the Torah portion)
- Recite a Haftarah
- Lead some of the prayers of the service
- Do a mitzvah project
This path will involve the most preparation by the student. The student will work 1:1 throughout the process with Rabbi Avrin, or with a tutor, to learn Hebrew, learn their Torah portion, and to study the broader material associated with the process. The student will not only study their particular Torah portion but will also gain a broad understanding of the most important aspects of Jewish life and tradition. The goal is for the student to understand the significance of the process and to be able to articulate why their Jewish identity is important to them as they approach this milestone. One important aspect of the b’ mitzvah process is accepting personal responsibility and giving back to the world in some way. For this reason, all students are highly encouraged to choose a “mitzvah” project (volunteer/educational/advocacy, etc) where they meaningfully contribute their time and energy.
This path will take most students 10-12 months to prepare for and most students will meet weekly for tutoring for approximately 30 minutes a week over Zoom.
Path 2: Semi-Traditional
Prepare for a service that does not include a Torah reading by the student.
The student may do the following during the service:
- Be called for an aliyah while someone else (family member or rabbi) reads from the Torah
- Deliver a D’var Torah (speech/sermon about the Torah portion)
- Recite a haftarah
- Lead some of the prayers of the service
- Do a Mitzvah project
This path is best for families who want the feel of a “typical” b’ mitzvah experience but are not interested in the student reading from the Torah scroll for any number of reasons. In most cases, the student will still be called up for an aliyah to recite the Torah blessings while someone else present reads Torah. The student will work 1:1 throughout the process with Rabbi Avrin to learn the material necessary for the service. The student will not only study these materials, as well as their particular Torah portion, but will also gain a broad understanding of the most important aspects of Jewish life and tradition. The goal is for the student to understand the significance of the process and to be able to articulate why their Jewish identity is important to them as they approach this milestone. One important aspect of the b’ mitzvah process is accepting personal responsibility and giving back to the world in some way. For this reason, all students are highly encouraged to choose a “mitzvah” project (volunteer/educational/advocacy, etc) where they meaningfully contribute their time and energy.
This path will take most students 10-12 months to prepare for and students will typically meet every other week for 30 minute Zoom sessions.
Path 3: Creative
Prepare an individually designed, creative ritual that does not involve a worship service or a Torah reading.
This path is best for families who are looking for an alternative and creative way to celebrate their child that does not involve a worship service. Students will study their Torah portion with Rabbi Avrin and develop a creative way to present their learning through a culminating ritual, activity, performance, or project. For example, a student may produce a work of art, a series of poetry, that they share with their family and friends at an “exposition.” Another student may organize a culminating activity that highlights their mitzvah project, like a wiffle ball tournament or bake sale. And yet another student may perform a song, serve a meal, or release a podcast. During these culminating moments, Rabbi Avrin will find a way to acknowledge, and offer blessings for the student in a way that feels comfortable for them.
During the preparation process, the student will not only study their particular Torah portion but will also gain a broad understanding of the most important aspects of Jewish life and tradition. The goal is for the student to understand the significance of the process and to be able to articulate why their Jewish identity is important to them as they approach this milestone. One important aspect of the b’ mitzvah process is accepting personal responsibility and giving back to the world in some way. For this reason, all students are highly encouraged to choose a “mitzvah” project (volunteer/educational/advocacy, etc) where they meaningfully contribute their time and energy.
This path will take most students 10-12 months to prepare for and students will typically meet every other week for 30 minute Zoom sessions.
Pre-B' Mitzvah Tutoring
For those more than 12 months away from their B' Mitzvah date
This is for families who are looking for independent options for their child's Jewish education in the years leading up to B' Mitzvah. The curriculum is individually tailored for each family, depending on their interests and B' Mitzvah goals. If the goal is to gain deep comfort with the Hebrew language and prayer fluency, weekly tutoring is recommended. If the goal is more general Judaic knowledge and basic familiarity with the most important Hebrew blessings (for Shabbat and major holidays), then twice or once a month might be a better fit. Please contact Rabbi Avrin directly to talk through the various options. All sessions are individually scheduled with Rabbi Avrin. They can take place either in person or over Zoom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can my child’s celebration take place?
Anywhere. Some families may want to use a traditional chapel, like at Minnesota Hillel or the JCC. Others may want an outdoor venue like a park or camp. You could also book a private venue like a hotel or community center, or hold the ceremony in your home or backyard. We are happy to share more ideas and make connections anytime.
Do you have a Torah scroll?
Yes. Though we do not own our own Torah scroll, YourJewish has access to a local Torah Scroll that we can bring to your venue!
How do fees work?
Every path is unique and therefore every path has a different fee range. We operate on a pay what you can model and ask families to pay what works best for their family, within an agreed upon range.
How frequently does my student meet?
It depends on the path and the goals for the B' Mitzvah. Some students may meet weekly, others may meet every other week. Sessions will range from 30-60 minutes each. All sessions are individually scheduled and we will work around your schedule to be as flexible as possible!
Will you work with teens older than 13?
Yes. 13 is the traditional age of becoming B’ Mitzvah but we are happy to work with older teens or even adults who didn’t have an opportunity to go through the process at age 13.
