B'nei Mitzvah
Our Vision for B’nei Mitzvah at CBI
We believe that b’nei mitzvah is a precious opportunity for our kids to engage deeply with the prayers, texts, and customs of our tradition and claim their place in our Jewish community. Our b’nai mitzvah program celebrates the individuality of each young person b’asher hu sham, where they are, with their unique collection of aptitudes, gifts, and challenges. We do not believe that one size fits all. Nevertheless, we encourage all our students to stretch themselves to the extent of their ability to acquire ritual skills, wrestle with the words of their Torah portion, and discover personal meaning in becoming b’nai mitzvah. We support them with a substantial investment of community resources, including a two-year family education curriculum, a synagogue provided tutor, and lots of one-on-one time with CBI clergy. Our b’nai mitzvah students emerge from this process with a sense of pride in themselves, empowered to fully participate in Jewish life at CBI and at any synagogue in the world, and inspired to continue their own journey of learning and growth.
A CBI b’nei mitzvah is a joyful celebration not just of each individual child’s accomplishment, but of the continuation of our Jewish family story l’dor va’dor—from generation to generation. We teach our kids that the Shabbat service of their b’nai mitzvah is both *theirs* and belongs to the rest of the community – for the celebration of other simchas, the supporting of those in need, and the regular, weekly experience of honoring Shabbat through prayer and study.
Download a copy of our B’NEI MITZVAH HANDBOOK!
Fill out forms online:
B’NEI MITZVAH INFORMATION FORM