B’nei Mitzvah

וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם

Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day.
Impress them upon your children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Our b’mitzvah program helps prepare students for the additional responsibility that comes with being a Jewish adult.  Mitzvah literally translates to “commandment” or “sacred calling,” and to become B’nei Mitzvah means to take on an adult relationship to the mitzvot/sacred callings that populate Jewish life — from honoring Shabbat and holidays, to loving the stranger; from committing to ongoing study of Torah/Jewish wisdom and prayer/reflection, to performing tzedakah/acts of justice and charity.
In celebrating becoming B’nei Mitzvah our students demonstrate to their community, and more importantly to themselves, how much they are truly capable of — through leading their community in prayer, through chanting ancient and timeless texts, and through offering their own interpretation and teaching based on these sacred texts.
The process begins as early as pre-K and no later than 3rd grade through enrollment in our Hebrew school. During your child’s 5th grade year, Hazzan Jessi Roemer will reach out to assign a date. Group training begins in 6th grade, and individual tutoring with one of our professional b’mitzvah tutors starts nine to 12 months before the service date. Our B’nei Mitzvah Manual walks through the full process, from tutoring to the service to the celebration..

Why have your B'nei Mitzvah at Society Hill Synagogue?

Rabbi Nathan Kamesar and Hazzan Jessi Roemer work with each student throughout the process, getting to know them as an individual and helping them find their own angle into Torah. The service reflects who your child actually is. Students who have received their Jewish education here, through our Hebrew School, will have their learning community there with them and be surrounded by the congregation that has watched them grow.
We are dedicated to giving every child a coming-of-age ceremony that is meaningful for them. Reach out to Rabbi Kamesar or to Karen Hafter, our Director of Youth and Family Education, if you would like to discuss further.
Yes. While Jewish tradition reserves certain honors — including Torah blessings and carrying the Torah — for Jewish adults, we warmly welcome all family members on the bimah in other ways. Non-Jewish parents are encouraged to stand alongside their Jewish partners during aliyot. The full B’nei Mitzvah Manual explains all honors in detail.
There is a b’mitzvah orientation and training fee of $1,500, billed in two installments during your child’s 6th and 7th grade years. Families are also asked to sponsor the Kiddush lunch on the day of the service. For details, contact Leanne at office[at]societyhillsynagogue.org.
Yes. B’mitzvah families must be members of Society Hill Synagogue in good financial standing. B’mitzvah students at Society Hill Synagogue must have completed their Jewish education either through our Hebrew School (which requires membership) or a Jewish day school. Contact Leanne at office[at]societyhillsynagogue.org or 215.922.6590 with questions about membership.
Yes. Our Social Hall can accommodate up to 201 guests and is available for private receptions following the Kiddush lunch on Saturdays. There is a rental fee. Contact Leanne Bendetti at office[at]societyhillsynagogue.org or 215.922.6590 for details, availability, and catering guidelines.
Yes. Becoming b’nei mitzvah as an adult is a meaningful and increasingly common choice — whether you grew up Jewish and never had the opportunity, or have come to Judaism later in life. Reach out to Hazzan Jessi Roemer at hazzanjessi[at]societyhillsynagogue.org to start the conversation.