Re-imagining the B’nei Mitzvah Experience
At Shtiebel, our b’ mitzvah experience is more than just a day of celebration—it is a deeply personal and meaningful journey that empowers individuals and families to connect with our history and heritage in a way that is authentic to them.
We believe that every b’ mitzvah should reflect the unique identity, interests, and values of each student and their family, ensuring an experience that resonates and remains relevant for years to come.
Be: Stay true to who you are by celebrating the diversity of observance, practice, and belief within our community. Our experience only includes rituals and traditions that are meaningful and relevant to you.
Belong: Foster a sense of belonging by enabling students to find their place in our people’s story. Through engaging learning experiences, they will discover the lessons of our past and how they apply to their own lives today.
Become: Ensure the future of our living tradition by empowering the next generation of Jews to become their best selves. A b’ mitzvah is not just a milestone but a transformative journey that helps shape their Jewish identity.
A Journey Tailored to You
We recognise that no two b’ mitzvah journeys are alike. Each of our learners come with unique personal and family stories, and their celebration should reflect that. This is why, in addition to celebrating b’ mitzvah in a “service” setting with Torah readings on Shabbat (morning and afternoon), we also offer “ceremonies” that can take place at other times. These alternative celebrations honour this important rite of passage in ways that better reflect individual family practices and values.
At Shtiebel, we understand that parents desire their children to develop skills that are both meaningful and applicable to their lives. Our one-on-one tutoring sessions are designed to foster:
- Confident Communication and Leadership: Guiding students to confidently lead parts of the celebration, enhancing their ability to express themselves clearly and lead with assurance.
- Critical Thinking and Personal Reflection: Encouraging learners to explore and interpret Jewish values and traditions, promoting introspection and thoughtful discussion.
- Cultural Literacy and Identity Formation: Deepening understanding of Jewish heritage, helping students form a strong, positive sense of identity and belonging.
- Community Engagement and Responsibility: Instilling a sense of duty towards community involvement and social responsibility, aligning with the values of tzdakah (charity) and chesed (kindness).
By focusing on these areas, we aim to equip your child with valuable life skills that extend beyond the b’ mitzvah, supporting their growth into well-rounded and conscientious individuals.
Personalised One-on-One Tutoring
We are dedicated to providing a learner-focused approach that maximises the benefits of one-on-one instruction. All tutoring is conducted by our highly experienced educators, Rabbi Gersh Lazarow and Tammy Cohen, RJE, who pride themselves on meeting each student where they are and creating a meaningful learning journey tailored to their individual needs.
One-on-one tutoring offers numerous advantages, including:
- Customised Learning Experience: Lessons are specifically designed to align with the student’s unique learning style, pace, and interests, ensuring a more effective and engaging educational experience.
- Focused Attention: With personalised sessions, educators can identify and address specific areas where the student may need additional support, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
- Enhanced Confidence: A supportive one-on-one environment encourages students to ask questions and engage more deeply, building self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
Typically, students achieve their goals with 20–25 tutoring sessions, during which our team maintains ongoing communication to track progress and adjust the learning plan as needed, ensuring a personalised and meaningful b’ mitzvah journey.
b’ mitzvah journey sessions
While we do not offer a group b’ mitzvah program, we recognise the benefits of shared learning and provide our b’ mitzvah families with opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions about Jewish culture, rituals, and traditions. Through interactive workshops, students deepen their connections to Jewish living, discovering what it means to be an adult in the Jewish community.
These b’ mitzvah journey sessions take place once a term on Friday nights and are a wonderful way for the whole family to connect with the journey and the community, as well as become familiar with the Shtiebel. Each family program is followed by Friday night services and a shared Shabbat meal, fostering a sense of belonging and communal celebration.
Workshops include themes such as:
- Shabbat: Learning about its beauty and traditions, including making challah and Havdalah candles.
- Social Justice: Engaging with tzdakah and chesed through hands-on projects like supporting Mazon and Shtiebel’s Street Pantry initiative.
- Mitzvot: Creating personal mezuzah cases and learning about their significance.
- Torah: Exploring the Torah scroll and discussing the power of storytelling in our tradition.
These sessions not only enrich the students’ learning experience but also strengthen family bonds and integrate families into the vibrant life of the Shtiebel community.
Want to learn more?
A b’ mitzvah is a powerful rite of passage that connects our young people to the unbroken chain of Jewish tradition. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and affirm their place in the Jewish story, linking them to generations past, present, and future. Through this journey, students gain a deeper understanding of their heritage, values, and responsibilities, shaping their Jewish identity in a way that is meaningful and enduring. This connection to tradition provides a strong foundation for their personal growth and a lifelong commitment to Jewish life.
We look forward to guiding you and your family through this meaningful journey and celebrating your b’ mitzvah in a way that is truly yours.
