Bar Mitzvah Traditions

What is a Bar Mitzvah?

Bar Mitzvah translates to "son of the Commandments" which marks the transition into adulthood in Judaism.  This ceremony is the culmination of years of work on Bennett's part.  As a Bar Mitzvah, Bennett will begin taking responsibility for his own moral decisions and complying with the mitzvot (commandments) of Jewish life.  

About Temple Emunah/Preparing for the Service

🕍 Welcome to Temple Emunah for Bennett’s Bar Mitzvah!

We’re so glad you’ll be joining us for this special occasion! Here’s everything you need to know to make your visit comfortable, meaningful, and stress-free — especially for families with children.

✡️ About Temple Emunah

Temple Emunah is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue, meaning:

• All genders participate fully in worship.

• We honor Jewish traditions while adapting to the modern world.

🕘 Service Details

• Start Time: 9:30 AM

• End Time: Around 12:00 PM, followed by a Kiddush luncheon.

• Bennett’s Participation: Bennett’s Bar Mitzvah is part of the full Shabbat service. He will not be leading every section, but he’ll have several special roles throughout.

• Best Arrival Time: We recommend arriving between 9:50–10:00 AM to catch all of Bennett’s parts.  

• For Bennett's friends:  Drop-Off/Pick-Up:

  1. Use the front circle at the main entrance.

  2. Drop-Off Window: 9:50 – 10:00 AM toward the beginning of the service to catch Bennett's part

  3. Pickup Window: 12:45 – 1:00 PM after lunch

⏸️ Flexibility & Movement

Don’t worry if your family needs breaks!

• It’s normal for people to arrive late, step out, or leave early.

• Ushers will help guide you on when it’s okay to enter or exit the sanctuary.

  • Tip: Avoid entering/exiting when people are standing or when the ark (at the front) is open.

🧒 Children Are Welcome!

• Young children are warmly embraced by our community.

• Feel free to bring quiet books or borrow from the book collection at the sanctuary entrance.

• There’s a quiet play space with toys inside the sanctuary.

• Outside, there’s a playground available before or after the service.

• A nursing room is available off to the side of the main sanctuary.

🚗 Parking & Drop-Off

• Temple Parking Lot: Plenty of spaces, including accessible parking up the hill and to the right.

• Please Do Not Park on Piper Road (the street leading to the lot).

🏛️ Inside the Building

• Enter through the main entrance, then take the stairs or elevator to the 2nd floor for the Main Sanctuary.

• Greeters and ushers will be available to assist you with directions or any needs.

• Seating: You are welcome to sit anywhere.

• Restrooms: Several restrooms including gender neutral bathrooms available on the second floor.

• Accessibility: Elevator to the left of the main stairs, assisted hearing devices and large-print prayer books available.  There is also a nursing room on the side of the main sanctuary. 

💻 Zoom Option

• The service will be available via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.

🔇 Shabbat Etiquette

In keeping with Shabbat customs, please refrain from the following while at or around the synagogue:

• Taking photos or videos

• Writing

• Using phones or electronic devices
  (Please keep devices off or on silent. Step outside if you need to use your phone.)

• Bringing outside food (The temple is a kosher facility)

🥗 Kiddush Luncheon

Following the service, please join us for a Kiddush lunch at Temple Emunah:

• All food is kosher

• Vegetarian options available

❓ Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance during the service:

• Speak with an usher at the sanctuary entrance.

• They’re here to help!

Let us know if you have any other questions — we’re so excited to celebrate with you!

What to Wear and what to expect at Temple Emunah

👤 Head Coverings (Kippah)

As a sign of respect in the synagogue:

• We ask male-presenting guests to wear a kippah (kee-pah or skullcap) inside the building.

• Kippot will be provided at the entrance.

• Wearing a kippah is not a religious requirement, but a traditional way of showing respect in a Jewish place of worship.

  • Think of it like removing your hat in church or taking off shoes before entering a mosque.

👗 Dress Code: Business Casual

Please dress respectfully and modestly — but no need to be overly formal. A good rule of thumb is "business casual."  Please avoid sweatpants, jeans, or tank tops

For Women:

• Dresses, skirts, pantsuits, or slacks with a blouse or sweater

• Many women cover their shoulders inside the sanctuary

For Men:

• Jackets, ties, or sport coats are common

• Dress pants with a button-down or polo shirt are also appropriate

For Children:

• Khakis and collared shirts work well

🧣 Prayer Shawls (Tallit)

• Jewish adults in the congregation wear a tallit (prayer shawl) during the service.

• Guests do not wear a tallit — no need to bring or wear one.

A Special Note about Bennett’s Tallit:

• This will be the first time Bennett wears a tallit, marking his coming of age in the Jewish tradition.

• His tallit was passed down from his grandfather.

• One day, it may be used again as the wedding canopy (chuppah) under which Bennett is married — a beautiful symbol of continuity and tradition.

The Shabbat Service and Bennett's role

Bennett has been preparing for this day since kindergarten

Over the years, he has:

• Learned to read Hebrew, studied Jewish traditions, explored and analyzed the ancient Jewish texts which have remained at the heart of our community to this day.

• He has particually spent the last four years learning how to lead parts of the Shabbat service, including the Torah service, which is the central part of the Saturday morning worship.

📜 What is the Torah and Torah Portion?

• The Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) is written in Hebrew on parchment scroll and rolled around wooden handles.  The Torah is stored in a special cabinet called an Ark.  Please note, it is customary to rise while the Ark is open as a sign of respect and to remain standing until it is closed.  The Rabbis will announce when it is time to rise/sit.  Those who are unable to rise physically are invited to rise in spirit.

• The Torah is read from beginning to end in read in weekly sections, called parshas.  The same parsha is being read each day all around the world.

• Bennett has learned to chant his Torah portion and the accompanying Haftarah portion, studied its meaning and relevance and prepared a short speech (D'var Torah) to share his reflections and personal insights:

✡️ The Aliyah – A Special Honor

• As part of the service, Bennett will be called up to the Torah for the first time in a ceremony called an Aliyah — a major milestone in Jewish life.

During the service:

• When the Ark is opened, it is customary to stand as a sign of respect.

• The rabbis will let you know when to stand and sit.

• If you are unable to stand physically, you are warmly invited to "rise in spirit."

For those who may be new to a Jewish service

📖 Following Along

The service is mostly in Hebrew, which reads from right to left—so the prayer books open the opposite way from English ones.
Most pages include Hebrew on one side and an English translation on the other. If you're curious about what's being said, feel free to follow along with the English side.

🍬 Candy Tradition!

During the Torah reading, keep an eye out: Bennett's younger cousins will pass baskets of wrapped candy down the rows. Please take one and pass the rest along so everyone gets a piece.

Later, after Bennett completes some of his key parts in the service, the Rabbi will invite everyone to gently toss the candy toward Bennett at the front of the sanctuary. This is a fun and sweet tradition meant to shower him with blessings and joy!

After the candy is tossed, all kids are invited to run up front and collect the candy to eat. There will be plenty for everyone — and yes, we need all of it cleaned up, so don’t be shy!

🚶‍♀️ Movement Is Okay

We really can't stress this enough: it’s perfectly okay to step out during the service. Whether you need the restroom, a break to stretch your legs, or just a moment to regroup, you’re not locked into your seat.

You’ll see plenty of guests moving in and out of the sanctuary. The service is meaningful, but it can also feel long—so a little movement is expected and completely normal.

After the service

Once the service is complete, we will all move to the social hall for a Kiddush luncheon. Our invited guests will join members of the Emunah community to eat and enjoy each other's company.  This is typically finished between 12:45PM - 1PM.  Then get some rest for a night of food, dancing, fun and games to continue the celebration.

The evening party

Please join us at The Belmont Country Club at 5:30 PM for dinner and dancing.  There will be games for kids (and kids at heart!) Adults will spend cocktail hour in the bar area overlooking the golf course.  Kids will be in main event room during that time.  Then we all come together for more food and dancing.

Dress for the party will be cocktail attire.  Get ready to do a lot of dancing, so kick off the shoes if you feel like it!