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B'nai Mitzvah Project
Mazel Tov! The staff of Temple Emanu-El wishes you joy and blessing on your upcoming simcha (joyous occasion), and we hope that the journey to your celebratory day is both inspiring and meaningful.
As you may know, bar and bat mitzvah students are required to complete a Mitzvah Project. Please read below to learn more about the requirements and dates associated with the project.
What is a Mitzvah Project and why do we do them?
Many of us think of mitzvot (plural of mitzvah) as good deeds, and indeed, mitzvot are good deeds but they are more than this too. A mitzvah is an action commanded by God. According to Jewish tradition, there are 613 mitzvot found in the Torah.
The Rabbis of the Talmud taught that the world stands upon three broad categories of mitzvot: Torah (study), Avodah (worship), and G’milut Chasadim (loving deeds). As our students prepare for bar/bat mitzvah they engage in many mitzvot related to Torah and Avodah. They study Torah as they prepare their b’nai mitzvah speeches with one of our rabbis. They learn how to lead Avodah as they prepare their prayers and Torah and haftara portions.
The Mitzvah Project is designed to help our students engage in G’milut Chasadim. We believe that all Jews are responsible for making our world better, and we want our students to engage in this important work. We want them to use the talents and skills with which they have been blessed to make a positive difference in the world!
Stop by the Religious School Office to look at the Mitzvah Project Binder.
Visit these two web resources for further ideas:
a) The Ziv Tzedakah fund, at http://www.ziv.org/bar_bat_mitzvah.html (Check out the link to 116 practical mitzvah suggestions at the bottom of the page! This website also has many ways you can incorporate mitzvahs right into your bar/bat mitzvah celebration.)
b) Areyvut has a list of organizations and projects at www.areyvut.org/Resource/bneimitz.asp.
You don’t need to have the most original Mitzvah Project. Rather, a successful project is one that allows you to meaningfully engage in the work of repairing the world.
If you have further questions, please contact Rabbi Doberne-Schor.
When is my Mitzvah Project due?
Use the the Mitzvah Project Checklist to help you complete your project.
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