What is the difference between Bnai Mitzvah services my synagogue offers?

Question

I know there are a lot of different ones, but what how would my service be different for each service?

Answer 1

There are a number of different options various synagogues offer (usually Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist tend to have more flexible options compared to an Orthodox service).

Here's a list of some common Bar/Bat Mitzvah services!

1. Shabbat Morning - this is most often what people think of when they're talking about a Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. It is Saturday Morning, full of the traditional prayers (and some special ones too!), and the Torah is taken out, usually for 8 separate Torah readings. Then a Haftarah is chanted, usually by the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student. A D'var Torah (weekly portion study) is read as well. This is typically a larger service, as more community members tend to attend Shabbat morning services than others.
2. Kabbalat Shabbat - this is another common service. On Friday Nights various Shabbat melodies and prayers are sung. Often a Haftarah is chanted as well. A D'var Torah is read by the student. It is often a very warm, community-oriented service as it marks the beginning of celebrating Shabbat every week.
3. Mincha-Ma'ariv-Havdalah - this type of service can sometimes be broken up as just a Mincha service (meaning without the Havdalah component). It is on Saturday nights and marks the end of Shabbat with a musical Havdalah service. This includes the Havdalah blessings with the candle, spices, and wine and often this includes Shabbat songs as well. The Torah is taken out from the ark and three smaller portions are read from the Torah and a D'var Torah is read. As a smaller service, it is often more focused on the family and friends of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
4. Special Occasions - there are other services that families and synagogues may choose to have their services on, such as Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of a new Hebrew month), holidays such as Sukkot, Passover, or Chanukah, or even a regular weekday morning service (usually Mondays or Thursdays, so a Torah portion can be read). Each of these have their own special requirements depending on the synagogue.

These are general ideas and individual synagogues may vary, for sure.

Hopefully these notes give you a feel for what to expect!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to message me directly!

Shalom!

Samantha