Congregation Beth Israel to Hold Adult B’nei Mitzvah Ceremony

Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains will hold a special ceremony on Saturday, November 19, at 9:30 a.m., as eight synagogue members will be called to the Torah as adult B’nei Mitzvah (plural of Bar and Bat Mitzvah). The adults will celebrate becoming B’nei Mitzvah in front of their fellow congregants, families and friends during the Saturday morning Shabbat service, which is free and open to the community.

Traditionally, a Jewish boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah (“son of the commandments”) and a girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah (“daughter of the commandments”) at 13 years old, signifying that they have reached an age at which they are considered responsible adults under Jewish law. This coming-of-age milestone is often marked with a ceremony in a synagogue in which the teenager participates in the Shabbat service. However, Jews who were unable to celebrate becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in their youth can still do so as adults.

Congregation Beth Israel’s adult B’nei Mitzvah ceremony will mark the culmination of many months of studying and preparation in a weekly Adult Education class led by Cantor Matt Axelrod. Over the course of almost a year, the adult B’nei Mitzvah students have learned about the Shabbat service, the meaning of the prayers, both Haftorah and Torah tropes (musical notes), and have discussed the evolving role of the Conservative Jewish movement.

At Congregation Beth Israel’s adult B’nei Mitzvah ceremony, each participant will lead a part of the Shabbat service and will chant a portion of that week’s Haftorah and/or read from the Torah. In addition, each honoree will be called up to recite the sacred Hebrew blessings over the Torah, known as an aliyah. Traditionally, a teen receives the honor of having an aliyah for the first time at his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Even though some of the adult B’nei Mitzvah students may already have had an aliyah in the past, the aliyah they receive that day will mark a special moment, commemorating the commitment they have made towards ongoing Jewish learning.

“It has been an incredible pleasure to work with these adults, who come to each class prepared and incredibly eager to learn more,” said Cantor Axelrod. “There’s something about tackling this accomplishment as an adult—I think that they feel a real motivation not only to be able to participate in the service, but to learn more and more even when our formal sessions are over.”

Congregation Beth Israel offers an Adult Education curriculum annually, with classes on a wide range of topics, from conversational Hebrew to Bible study, and with programs such as scholar-in-residence weekends.

Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, NJ (corner of Martine Avenue). For more information, contact the synagogue office at (908) 889-1830.

Pictured is Cantor Matt Axelrod practicing with the adult B’nei Mitzvah students in Congregation Beth Israel’s sanctuary (from left): Joseph Perone; Claire Bornstein; Donna Faktor; Marcia Wiener; Carrie Jaffe; Susan Streep; Sharon Goldner; Diana Cooper; and Cantor Matt Axelrod.