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Home > Ritual > Bet Mitzvah

Bet Mitzvah Experience at PTS

bET MITZVAH EXPERIENCE AT PTS

Becoming Bet Mitzvah is an exciting transitional moment for your child and your family.  The Bet Mitzvah ritual is the time when Jewish children step forward to publicly accept responsibility for their own Jewish future and for the future of our people. Your PTS community is overjoyed to share this occasion with you. 

PTS has adopted the name “Bet Mitzvah” as a term for our program that is more inclusive and acknowledges all gender identities and gender expressions of the youth in our synagogue.

bet mitzvah basics

Bet Mitzvah Dates

In the early spring of your child's 5th grade year, members will receive an email from the PTS office to begin the date selection process.

Expectations
In order to become Bet Mitzvah at PTS, we expect students to:

  • Be enrolled in Youth Education for three consecutive years prior to their Bet Mitzvah date - PTS students begin Hebrew learning in the 3rd grade 

  • Or have completed 3 years at a Jewish day school or transferred from another temple's religious school

  • Maintain regular attendance of at least 80% in Youth Education

  • Participate in Bet Mitzvah Orientation in the fall of 6th grade

  • Study and come prepared for sessions with the clergy and educators beginning one year prior to the bet mitzvah ceremony

  • Invite Bet Mitzvah classmates to their ceremony and reception

The Path to Becoming Bet Mitzvah

unchecked Attend 6th Grade Bet Mitzvah Orientation in the fall
unchecked Review and learn prayers with individual tutor
unchecked Meetings with Cantor Kliger to chant Torah & Haftarah and create a Shabbat service 
unchecked Meetings with Rabbi Berg to discuss the Torah and Haftarah portions
unchecked Meetings with Rabbi Feder on the Torah interpretation and writing of the Sermon
unchecked Meetings with Rosa Whitten, Director of Education, to discuss mitzvah track choices

Mitzvah Tracks
In lieu of a traditional mitzvah project, students will have the opportunity to choose elements from several Bet Mitzvah tracks, as a way of elevating and deepening the Bet Mitzvah experience.

Service
While each Bet Mitzvah service might not look exactly the same, all students will participate in leading the Shabbat morning service, including chanting from the Torah, chanting Haftarah and delivering a sermon.

Financial Matters
While becoming bet mitzvah is far from a financial transaction, families are expected to pay the expenses of membership commitment, Youth Education tuition, lifecycle fee, facility and rental fees, and other items. If the financial commitment presents a hardship, we are happy to work with you to make alternative plans. Please contact our Chief Community Officer, to discuss.

Bet Mitzvah Handbook
To learn more detailed information about our Bet Mitzvah Program at PTS, our Bet Mitzvah Handbook can be found here,

faq

My child is in 5th/6th/7th/8th grade - is it too late to start bet mitzvah preparation?
While the traditional age to become a bet mitzvah is 13, a bet mitzvah ceremony can happen at any age. If your student is beginning the process a little later please get in touch with Cantor Yonah Kliger or Rosa Whitten, Director of Education, and we are happy to talk about your goals and how we can work together.

My student has some different educational needs - are you able to accommodate?
Yes, of course, we'd be happy to learn what might be best for your child and family to ensure their success in the process.

My partner/spouse is not Jewish - will they be allowed to participate in the service?
Yes! We welcome you and your spouse, partner, and/or other family members, to participate in a way that is meaningful to your whole family.

Contact Information

For more information about the Bet Mitzvah process at PTS, please contact us.

Thu, July 31 2025 6 Av 5785