Preparation Timeline
During the 6th Grade Year
Weekly Education Program with Hebrew component.
BE Mitzvah Orientation in fall on a Saturday for student and parents.
Hebrew skills assessment with Rabbi/Educator and teaching staff in winter for students not in PTBE’s Hebrew program to anticipate tutoring need
During the 7th Grade Year
Monthly 7th grade Mitzvah Corps Program on Sundays.
BE Mitzvah Retreat for students and parents on a Saturday or Sunday in the fall to explore the theme of becoming BE mitzvah as a family journey.
8 to 9 months prior to service date:
Family meeting with lead rabbi to review all expectations, ask questions, and get to know each other.
6 to 8 months prior to service date
In-house tutoring begins 6 to 8 months prior to service date based on 6th grade Hebrew assessment. Student will meet with a temple tutor weekly for 30 minutes. At this time, the student will focus on mastering the prayers and blessings of the morning service.
Approximately 4 months prior to the service date:
D’var Torah: Students and parents will meet twice in a small group with a rabbi to develop and prepare their d’var Torah. Following two group sessions, students and parents will meet privately with their lead rabbis to further discuss, develop, and complete the divrei Torah.
Weekly tutoring begins to learn the Haftarah and Torah portions with a tutor for 2 to 3 months. 6 weeks to One months prior to service date, student meets with the cantor through two weeks before morning service. Meetings will be weekly for 30 minutes and include time in the Sanctuary.
6 to 8 weeks prior to morning service, the rabbi will meet with the family to review service honors and provide support for drafting parent blessing.
Two weeks out: Service Walkthrough for Student only
The student meets with Cantor Elana Jagoda Kaye for 45 minutes for a service walkthrough in the Sanctuary.
The week of the service: Family Rehearsal
The entire family meets with the lead rabbi for approximately one hour for a final rehearsal in the Sanctuary.