Temple Isaiah > Learning > Bar / Bat Mitzvah Resources

B'nai Mitzvah Resources

The B'nai Mitzvah ( the plural of bar/bat mitzvah) experience combines the most joyous and solemn of moments among all of our rites. Welcoming young people as adults into our Jewish community enriches us all. At Temple Isaiah, our staff, clergy and families collaborate to make the experience one of deep meaning for our youth, while at the same time helping them to celebrate a milestone in a way that will be memorable.

We encourage families who are beginning the bar/bat mitzvah year to download the Bar / Bat Mitzvah Handbook. In addition to this comprehensive guide below are some quick guides to the process.

Planning Timeline for Parents click here
Sixth Grade Bnai Mitzvah Programs For Students/parents click here
Bnai Mitzvah Tutoring Timeline click here
Making Tzedakah a Part of the Celebration click here
Frequently Asked Questions for the Final 3 Months of Planning click here.
To play or download the T'filah CD click here

Aliyah (Torah) Blessings
Aliyah (Torah Blessings) Form
Post-Event Survey Form
Hall Rental

The Aliyah (Torah) Blessings

If you are called to the Torah as part of the B'nai Mitzvah service, you will say (or better, sing!) the first blessing before the Torah reading, and the second blessing after the reading.

First Blessing	Second Blessing
Bar’chu et Adonai ham’vorach . Baruch Adonai ham’vorach l’olam va-ed. Baruch Atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech ha-olam, Asher bachar banu mikol ha-amim v’natan lanu et torato . Baruch Atah, Adonai , notein hatorah.	Baruch Atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech ha-olam, Asher natan lanu torat emet v’chaiyei olam nata b’tocheinu . Baruch Atah , Adonai , notein hatorah

The melodies for these prayers can be heard by clicking here.

Aliyah Form


01.	English name of Bar/Bat Mitzvah:
02.	Hebrew name of Bar/Bat Mitzvah:

Ark opening and closing - taking Torah out
	English first & last name		Relationship to Bar/Bat Mitzvah
03A.
03B

First Aliyah
	English first & last name	Relationship to Bar/Bat Mitzvah		Hebrew name (including parents' names)
04A.
04B.
04C.

Second Aliyah
	English first & last name	Relationship to Bar/Bat Mitzvah		Hebrew name (including parents' names)
05A.
05B.
05C.

The third Aliyah is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Ark opening and closing - returning Torah
	English first & last name		Relationship to Bar/Bat Mitzvah
06A.
06B.

Comments
Telephone number where you can be reached:

Note: You may wish to print this page for your records before clicking "Submit"
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Congratulations on your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We hope that it was wonderful!

As a service to our community, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Committee has created an ongoing resource (the “Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book”) for families planning their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, where they can learn from the wisdom of your family and others. We have found that The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book provides an invaluable service for our families, with candid advice, referrals, and ideas on planning the event. We hope that you had an opportunity to review the materials of the Book in your own planning and that you found it useful.

Our hope is that every family will document their experience, using either the Web-based form below or the paper form you received in the mail. We will then put the completed forms in the three-ring binder in the Library for others to browse through. The Temple has a disclaimer on the front of the book indicating that it does not endorse any of the contractors or service providers and that this is strictly an optional list. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book stays in the Library at all times.

We hope that you will complete the form while the information is still fresh in your mind. When you're done, click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form.





Event Date:
Name of Family/Child:

Invitations Comments:

Place(s) of Reception(s) Comments:

Time of Receptions (Afternoon or Evening) Comments:

Did you have a separate event for the kids? Comments:

Other events (Shabbat Dinner/Sunday Brunch, etc., including caterers/restaurants, etc.):

Photographer Comments:

Videographer Comments:

Flowers - Bima and Reception Comments:

Hotel your Guests stayed in Comments:

Caterers or Cooperative Comments:

Centerpiece Ideas Comments:

Mitzvah Ideas Comments:

Music Comments:

Favors Comments:

Places to Buy Clothing Comments:

Entertainment Comments:

My Child's 3 favorite gifts were:




Overall Comments -- what went right? Wrong? Was it the day you expected? Any suggestions to others?

Contact for further information (Optional):
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Temple Isaiah is available for rental for life-cycle events and other functions.

Our newly-renovated Sanctuary, Chapel, and Social Hall can be arranged in a variety of configurations to fit events of all sizes.

Photo credits: Charlie Brenner, Keith M. Jacobs

The Kitchen is not kosher. However, foods that are inherently non-kosher - primarily pork and shellfish - are not permitted in the Temple.

Dishes and utensils are not included in the standard room rental rates, but can be arranged separately through the Temple.

Please make reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment; Temple Isaiah is a very busy place.

For rates, availability, and further details contact Betsy Herman.