We are certain that both you, the parents, and also your son or daughter will find the celebration of the Bar-Mitzvah or the Bat-Mitzvah in our congregation to be a most joyous and rewarding experience. The celebration for boys and girls is identical in our synagogue. The only difference is that Bat-Mitzvah celebrations usually take place when a girl reaches her 12th birthday, while Bar-Mitzvah celebrations are held when a boy reaches his 13th birthday. To avoid repetitiousness from here on we shall refer to the Bar-Mitzvah celebration, but all that we say here will be true of the Bat-Mitzvah celebration as well. The first step in arranging for a Bar-Mitzvah with our congregation is a chat with our rabbi. At this meeting with the parents and the Bar-Mitzvah himself our rabbi will give a detailed account of the process and answer all your questions. The basic points are as follows:- The period of individual tuition lasts about 4 months at the least. Very rarely do we celebrate a Bar-Mitzvah in less time. While a Bar-Mitzvah cannot be brought forward there is no problem with holding it a little later than the boy's actual birthday. In consultation with the parents the rabbi will determine the date of the aliyyah to the Torah and which portion the boy will read. This is almost always Maftir and Haftarah unless the family wants otherwise. The rabbi will now refer the parents to the congregation's treasurer regarding payment of fees. Our fees are comprised of one year's family membership and an extra fee for the use of the facilities. Where necessary the amounts are subject to adjustment to meet the needs of the family. The rabbi will also refer the boy to our Bar-Mitzvah tutor, for his individual tuition, at times that will be arranged at mutual convenience. It is the expectation of the congregation that during this period of study the Bar-Mitzvah and his parents will attend services at our synagogue as regularly as possible. This is in order that the family become acquainted with our way of doing things so that on the day everything will be familiar. It is also in order to create a bond of acquaintance between the family and the rest of the congregation, so that we can all join in your happiness on the day. On the day of the Bar-Mitzvah the family invites the whole congregation to kiddush after the service. When the time comes the person responsible for organizing kiddushim in our community will give explanations and advice. For details concerning a kiddush in our synagogue please read the guidelines that we have prepared specially for you. Please click here to read what families who have recently celebrated a Bar-Mitzvah or Bat-Mitzvah at Torat Hayim have to say about the experience. Concerning the celebration of a Bar-Mitzvah or a Bat-Mitzvah please e-mail Jack Ziv-El or contact him at this phone number: 09-9583161.