Shimon the Righteous, Pirkei Avot 1:2
Note: “B’Mitzvah” is used as an inclusive term encompassing Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and non-binary celebrations.
Hill Havurah is an independent Jewish congregation dedicated to supporting families as they move through the B’Mitzvah journey. For many, marking this transition within our community offers a meaningful way to celebrate and affirm their child’s place in Jewish life.
Our B’Mitzvah program prepares youth to step into the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood – both within Hill Havurah and the broader Jewish community. We see the B’Mitzvah not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a lifelong path of Jewish learning and connection – both formal and informal.
An understanding of Jewish culture and history. Hill Havurah sets no requirement for a family’s or youth’s level of religious observance, but a Hill Havurah B’Mitzvah ceremony must include an expression of the meaning the young person has found from studying Torah, reflecting on Jewish values, and participating in Jewish culture and ritual practice. Each B’Mitzvah candidate will, with the support of Rabbi Hannah, research, write, and deliver a d’var torah (literally, “words of torah”) on their Torah and Haftarah (prophetic reading) portions as well as other Jewish ideas or values that are meaningful to the candidate.
A connection with G-d or the spiritual dimension of life through participation in communal Jewish worship. A Hill Havurah B’Mitzvah observance will include the calling of the young person to the Torah at a worship service. The young person will learn the blessings upon being called to the Torah, read from their Torah and Haftarah portions, and take an active role in leading other parts of the worship service. each student will also be required to attend and/or volunteer for a number of Shabbat morning services (including a few B’ Mitzvot of fellow students) and Friday night services.
Each young person preparing to celebrate becoming a B’Mitzvah with Hill Havurah will undertake a meaningful, hands-on, and ongoing volunteer commitment that serves the greater community. They will, with the support of their family, choose a Mitzvah Project that is meaningful to them. Gemilut Chasadim, acts of loving-kindness, will help the student reflect on their responsibility to others and other Jewish values.
Listen to the recordings below to learn how to pronounce the Hebrew prayers and chant.
Program Template and Ideas:
Set up & Clean up Guides:
Rebecca Freund, B’Mitzvah Coordinator rebecca.freund@hillhavurah.org
Rabbi Hannah Spiro rabbihannah@hillhavurah.org
Any Hill Havurah member age 13 or older is eligible to become a B’Mitzvah through our program. The process typically spans about a year of study, with most students enrolling and selecting their date during 5th grade. For those beginning later, Rabbi Hannah and the B’Mitzvah Coordinator can work with families to create a customized preparation plan tailored to each student’s needs.
To learn more or begin the registration process, please contact our B’Mitzvah Coordinator, Rebecca Freund.
Please note: the program is open only to Hill Havurah members.
Hill Havurah is an inclusive, welcoming community, and we work to make our programs accessible regardless of financial circumstances. If assistance would be helpful, please contact our Executive Director, Brittany Schibuola.