Celebrate Bar/Bat Mitzvah at NSTE!

Families love celebrating b’nei mitzvah at North Shore Temple Emanuel!  Reflecting our movement’s egalitarianism, boys and girls learn the same skills and engage in the same activities on the day: reading from and carrying the Torah scroll, leading the congregation in prayer, sharing a d’rash, and more. Families sit together in the congregation, and both male and female family members share in the honours, including Aliyah, hagbah, and g’lilah. 

Who are our bar and bat mitzvah students?  Many have grown up in our Hebrew School, while others attend Jewish day schools like Masada College.  Still others come to us without Jewish schooling, and our tutors get them up to speed quickly.  A number of our bar and bat mitzvah families are interfaith members of our community.  Some students have special needs or learning disabilities.  Some live at a distance and study with us by Skype.  All, however, have a warm and embracing experience, in a supportive and loving community that “feels like family.”

Who are our tutors?  They are active members of our Temple family—knowledgeable, devoted, caring, and flexible.  Students and parents also meet for quarterly progress checks with the Rabbi.  We provide learning aids, such as Trope Trainer software and recordings.  Parents are provided with a comprehensive brochure, called Kol Bo, an invaluable reference containing everything to know about our process, “helpful terms,” rehearsal schedule, honours descriptions, kosher catering options, and invitations.   

A weekly Year 7 class with the Rabbi complements b’nei mitzvah tutoring, contextualising students’ learning by teaching Torah (the overall narrative, and where each student’s parasha fits in), Avodah (the structure of services, Jewish leadership, and the meaning of blessings), and G’milut Chasadim (social justice).  Students enjoy special sessions led by Netzer, Stand Up, and Courage to Care.  The class aims to build lifelong Jewish friendships, which continue through post-b’nei mitzvah opportunities like our “Teen Torah Tag Team” and participation in Yamim Noraim services.

To top it off, NSTE offers the option to purchase a gold leaf on our foyer’s Tree of Life, engraved with your child’s name and bar or bat mitzvah date.  Our building also houses a beautiful function centre, for those who celebrate with an “extended Kiddush,” including Jewish/Israeli music and dancing.  An NSTE bar or bat mitzvah is transformative and unforgettable.  

Contact us early to reserve your child’s spot. 

• Find out more information about the B'nei Mitzvah program here
• View our current B'nei Mitzvah 'Kol Bo' information pack here

Please feel free to contact the NSTE Office on (02) 9419 7011 or info@nste.org.au for any further information.

We look forward to welcoming you to our NSTE family!