Thank you for your interest in becoming a bar or bat mitzvah with the Adventure Rabbi program. Our training is rigorous and spiritually rewarding, crafted to awaken your Judaism on many levels.

Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, a son or daughter of the commandments, marks the beginning of a child’s maturation into adulthood. Through the process the child demonstrates his or her burgeoning ability to take on more responsibility for him or herself, ethically, morally, intellectually and physically. This is the beginning of a process that will continue until adulthood is reached.

The b’nai mitzvah process itself should mirror this maturation and increased ability to assume responsibility for self. Although each component of the learning needs to be supervised and supported by parents, the child’s responsibility for his or her actions should be stressed and called into play whenever possible.

Of course what makes our b’nai mitzvah program unique is that we offer ceremonies that are held outdoors. Simply by being in the wilderness, the spirituality of the experience is powerful.

Because we use a paper Torah rather than a kosher parchment Torah (which might be damaged by the elements) our ceremonies can take place in any location, as accessible or adventurous as your family chooses. Generally, Rabbi Korngold leads the ceremonies that take place on the Mesa Trail in Boulder, Colorado, and include an hour and fifteen minute hike (each way) to a beautiful natural outdoor synagogue, nestled up against a sheer rock face. Rabbi Bogage leads the service that take place in other locations, including outside of Colorado.

Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah program will assign you a Bar or Bat Mitzvah supervisor.

Throughout the program, your supervisor will have regular meetings with you by phone or in person. These ongoing conversations will help make your learning experience meaningful. Generally, these are rabbinical students from Hebrew Union College, who are passionate about sharing their knowledge about Judaism and whose enthusiasm is contagious.

The following pages contain the details of our B”M program and include:

1. Description of B’nai Mitzvah Program Elements
2. Application for B’nai Mitzvah Program (PDF) or on line Click Here
3. Tikkun Olam Project Worksheet (PDF)
4. Liturgy Log for a Morning Service (PDF)
5. Torah and Haftarah Logs (PDF)
6. D’var Torah Worksheet (PDF)
7. Shabbat Log (PDF)

To apply for our program, Click Here >>

If you are looking for a less intensive program, which focuses more on social action and ethics than on Hebrew and prayer leading skills, please read about an alternative celebration for 13-year-olds, the Bar/ Bat Yisrael. (Click here Bar / Bat Yisrael)

After reading through this information, if you feel an Adventure Rabbi bar or bat mitzvah will be a good fit for your family, please submit the application, call me at 303.417.6200, or click here to have me contact you now.

I am looking forward to joining your family on this adventure of learning!

L’Shalom, Rabbi Jamie S. Korngold

1. Tikkun Olam Project

Purpose:
Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah means becoming a more responsible member of the Jewish community. One of the values of our Jewish community is that as Jews, we have a mandate to help make the world a better place. Therefore, as you take on your new role in our community you will demonstrate your concern and connection through a tikkun olam project.

Goal:
To complete a tikkun olam project that helps make the world a better place and demonstrates your responsibility towards, and involvement in, the larger community.

Plan:
The tikkun olam planning worksheet will guide you through the steps of the project. Please complete it with the guidance of an adult who will help you make good choices.

Sharing with the Rabbi:
Please send me copies of your worksheet:

1. After the project is chosen but before it begins
2. When five hours are completed
3. After the project is finished and reviewed
4. When the summary has been written

Sharing with the Community:
You will share your project with the community at your bat or bar mitzvah ceremony by reading your summary report.

2. Hebrew Fluidity

Purpose:
Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah means becoming a more responsible member of the Jewish community. One of the ways we participate in community is through prayer. Wherever you travel in the world, you will be able to be part of the Jewish community if you can read basic prayers. Leading those prayers at your bar or bat mitzvah will demonstrate your competency.

Goal:
To be able to fluidly read the basic prayers of the Jewish service.

Plan:
With the help of a tutor or Hebrew school teacher, learn to fluidly read the prayers listed on the prayer sheet. It is recommended that you study in short daily sessions, for example 15 minutes twice a day.

Sharing:
When your checklist is complete and you have mastered all the prayers, please send a copy of your log and call to make a phone appointment to read/chant all the prayers for the rabbi.

3. Reading of Torah/ Haftarah:

Purpose:
On the day that you become a bar or bat mitzvah, you will publicly read from the Torah and Haftarah for the first time. Jews all over the world will be reading the same parsha (section) on the same day. Today you take your place as a responsible member of this community.

Goal:
To read (or chant) from the Torah (without vowels) and read Haftarah.

Plan:
With the help of your tutor and daily practice (suggested 30-60 min/day) learn to:
1. Read 6 verses of Torah with vowels
2. Read 6 verses of Torah without vowels
3. Chant 6 verses of Torah (optional)
4. Read 6 verses Haftarah

Sharing:
After you have completed each of these steps, make a phone appointment to read/chant for the rabbi.

4. D’var Torah (speech about the Torah portion)

Purpose:
One of the highest values in Judaism is learning. As you study for your Torah portion, we hope you will go beyond just reading it, and seek out lessons within the text. Researching your D’var Torah will give you an opportunity to explore what great Jewish thinkers have said about your portion and to add your ideas to theirs, as is our tradition.

Goal:
To write a D’var Torah that explains what happened in the parsha, what our tradition has to say about it, and how it applies to your life.

Plan:
The D’var Torah worksheet will guide you through this process. The rabbi will also be helping you with this. Although you can discuss your ideas with your parents, and may have them proofread your writing, the ideas and writing should be your own.

Sharing:
You will read your D’var Torah to your community at your bar/bat mitzvah.

5. Jewish Practice

Purpose:
Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah means taking on increased responsibility for your personal Jewish practice. To strengthen your level of comfort as a practicing Jew, you will attend Shabbat services or, if that is not possible, create Shabbat experiences at home.

Goal:
To attend 10 services or light candles, make Kiddush and say motzie as a family.

Plan:
Attend services at the synagogue(s) of your choosing. The services can be Friday night, Saturday or weekday services. If this is not geographically possible, have Shabbat dinners at home. Log in worksheet.

6. Extras

Some families wish to be further involved in the process. The following (and other ideas) are welcome. Please check in with me.

1. Put together a unique service.
2. Read/chant Torah before the bar or bat mitzvah student.
3. Include additional readings or prayers into the service.

7. Rehearsal:

Whenever possible we will do a run-through of the service before the actual day. This can be done in my office or by phone.

Note: If you are looking for a less intensive program, which focuses more on social action and ethics than on Hebrew and prayer leading skills, please read about an alternative celebration for 13 year olds, the Bar/ Bat Yisrael.

If you want your son or daughter to have a:

• Coming of Age Ceremony
• Connection to Jewish Heritage
• Knowledge of Ethics and Values
• Opportunity to Celebrate with Friends and Family
• Generational Continuity

But are not ready/able to commit to a Bar Mitzvah training program that includes synagogue participation, learning Hebrew, or religious school, the Bar or Bat Yisrael ceremony may be for your family.

Bar Yisrael and Bat Yisrael:

• Focused around Tikkun Olam/ Social Action project
• Opens the door for future involvement with Judaism
• Helps develop Jewish identity
• Your timeframe, your schedule
• Appropriate for 12 and 13-year olds

Part I: Learning Project
As a Bar or Bat Yisrael student, you will work with the B'nai Mitzvah Program Director, to discover one area of Judaism you wish to learn about or experience. For example, you might explore Jewish music, learn about a particular holiday, study an Israeli Prime minister, learn to read Hebrew prayers or learn about a particular Torah portion. You will devote at least 10 hours to your studies. At your Bar or Bat Yisrael service, you will teach the community what you have learned.

Part II: Tikkun Olam/ Social Action Project
You will also devote 10 hours to working on a Tikkun Olam / social action project of your own design. You will learn why this particular project illustrates a Jewish value, and track your own progress and learning. You will share what they have learned at your Bar or Bat Yisrael service.

Part III: Sabbath Prayers
You will also learn the basic prayers for Sabbath dinner at home and Havdallah, the ceremony closing the Sabbath. These are easy, enjoyable and useful prayers that will enable you to be part of the Jewish community wherever your life takes you.

Part IV: Ceremony
When you have completed your projects, we will gather together with family and friends at a Friday night Shabbat Service or Saturday night Havdallah service. Rabbi Korngold's services are beautiful, heart-felt experiences, filled with song, prayer and relevant discussions. Together as a community we will celebrate your connection to Judaism and entrance into the teenage years. There will be ample opportunities for friends, parents and family to add their blessings to the service so that it becomes a unique expression of you!

Details:

12 - week Program includes:

• 3 phone meetings with our B'nai Mitzvah Program Director
• 3 phone meetings with Rabbi Korngold
• One hour a week Tikkun Olam / social action project
• One hour a week independent study
  

If you are interested in this option, click here to have Rabbi Korngold contact you.