Questions about the process?
Preparing for the big day
Changing a date, using the sanctuary, preparing attendance lists for security, challah/kiddush, hosting a lunch at or Ami, photography, or videograpny?
How to bless the torah for your aliyah
Certain relatives and friends are called up for an aliyah, literally to ascend the bimah (stage), but more significantly, to bless the Torah (our spiritual sourcebook). When called up, people chant the Before Torah and After Torah blessings.
You can follow along and practice with our video, recordings, and blessing sheet.
Still have questions?
Should | wear a tallit (prayer shawl)?
Jews are encouraged to do so. It is optional, not required. Non-Jewish relatives are not forbidden from doing so. Tallitot are hanging on the tallit rack on the far side of the sanctuary. Choose one to wear and please return it after the service.
Can you help me practice the blessings (I'm nervous)?
Before the day of the service, you might ask the BMitzvah student to help you practice (this is a fabulous way for grandparents, especially, to connect and praise the student for their knowledge). On the day of the service, you might ask the rabbis and/or musical soloist to review them with you.
Am I singing the blessings alone?
The rabbi will be standing next to you, and the soloist nearby, and they would be honored to sing along with you. Just ask.
Prayers
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Mitzvah projects
We are proud to partner with Tzedek America and their Mitzvah Project Central concierge program. B'Mitzvah students choose from a variety of local, hands-on activities while preparing for their upcoming B'Mitzvah, guided through immersive social impact experiences every step of the way.
Check out some recent b'mitzvah projects
Isabella Campbell's B'Mitzvah Project
Isabella’s Bat Mitzvah project was a fundraiser and toy drive for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. When Isabella was waiting to be brought in for surgery at CHLA in 2024, she received sensory toys to calm her down. It really made a big difference in her experience there and ever since, she wanted to give back.
Charlie Seigel's Bat Mitzvah Project
For her Bat Mitzvah project, Charlie wanted to connect her love of theater and acting with her desire to educate about the Holocaust and combat antisemitism. She decided to write and, with the help of her parents, produce a play starring herself and three other young Jewish actresses her age.
Nathan Dashevsky's B'Mitzvah Project
When my son Nathan said he wanted his BMitzvah Project to involve cooking, I questioned whether that was possible and tried to steer him in another direction. Through Tzedek America's Mitzvah Project Central, though, he learned about Lasagna Love, a neighbor-to-neighbor movement that matches lasagna "chefs" with local families in need of a home cooked meal.
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