Bar Mitzvah

North County Chabad Center

 Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen

19045 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Tel. 714-693-0770 Fax 714-693-9423 www.ocjewish.com

In Judaism the Bar Mitzvah marks a most significant stage in the life of a young Jew. As a person grows older, he constantly reflects on this momentous occasion as a major part of the maturing process. This is the turning point at which a boy is suddenly transformed into a Jewish adult and feels the pride of being a fully fledged member of the oldest religion in the world, identifying with their essence in a strong and positive manner.

The realization of being an integral part of our beautiful tradition and rich heritage creates an eternal commitment to the ideals of our forefathers. This ultimately serves to inspire a person to constantly recognize his privileges and responsibilities to ones own self, fellow human beings and about all to G‑d.

At Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen/North County Chabad, we offer beautiful traditional services bridging together authentic Judaism of our grandparents with a California style. This guide will give you an insight into how to plan a memorable Bar Mitzvah for your family. Our staff of educators and rabbis will always be happy to assist you in planning this very important event for your family.

The Bar Mitzvah Guide
Date
Please reserve your date with our office staff as soon as possible. A Bar Mitzvah can be held on any day the Torah is read; Saturday morning services, Saturday afternoon, certain Sundays, Monday and Thursday. Bar Mitzvahs can also be held on Jewish holidays such as Passover, Shavous etc. The Bar Mitzvah is usually scheduled close to the child's Hebrew birthday. We will be glad to help you determine that date.

To reserve a date the Bar Mitzvah application must be completed, the desired date requested and accompanied by a $350 deposit.

Upon receipt of your application and deposit all efforts will be made to accommodate you. If your desired date is available you will receive a letter of confirmation and the date will be posted on the Shul Calendar maintained in the office. Do no assume your date has been cleared until you have received the letter of confirmation.

Traditional Service
The services at Chabad are traditional. Men and women sit separately with the traditional Mechiza (divider). All prayer books are in Hebrew/English– all prayers are recited in Hebrew with some English readings. All announcements, speeches and sermons are in English.

Saturday Bar Mitzvah
No pictures are to be taken on Saturday, although we welcome you and your photographer for a session on a week day. If you choose a late afternoon service, photographers and music are welcome after Havdalah (after the end of Shabbat). We ask that anything you need to bring to the service be brought prior to sunset on Friday. This includes, flowers, yarmulkes, and anything needed for the service. Naturally smoking and the use of a telephone is not permitted on Shabbat.

Bar Mitzvah Fee
Our congregation does not require membership. However a $400 Bar Mitzvah Fee is required for the Bar Mitzvah celebration and the use of the sanctuary. This does not include any facility rental, catering costs or tutoring.

Facility
Our beautiful sanctuary has a capacity of 350.  It is important that you notify the office of the anticipated attendance for the services so the proper amount of seating can be prepared.  Up to 225 can be accommodated comfortably for a Kiddush/Reception after services in the social hall.  Receptions can also be held outside in the plaza.  There is an additional charge to rent the facility (see facility rental packet).

Kiddush
A kiddush reception can be arranged for after services. See the facility rental packet for fees for the Kiddush.

Kosher Food Policy
A food served in the synagogue must be kosher. Food can also be provided by a Kosher Caterer that is certified by the Rabbinical Council of Orange County, the RCC or Kehillah. It can also be prepared in the synagogue kitchen under the Rabbis supervision. All meat products must be Glatt, milk products Cholov Yisroel.  No food may be provided by private individuals or prepared in private homes.

Bar Mitzvah Reception
The Bar Mitzvah reception is an integral part of the religious ceremony and the laws of Kashrus and Shabbos should be observed. Receptions should not be scheduled on Saturday until the end of Shabbos after dark.  Many people choose to have their receptions on Sunday. They should be held in a hotel with a kosher certification or catered by a recognized kosher caterer in a hall.

We have a beautiful social hall that is available for rental. In addition, there are hotels including the Hyatt Irvine, Hyatt Newporter, Hilton of Orange County and others in Orange County who do kosher catering. They are fully equipped to meet all of your needs.  Celebrations can also be held at the Yorba Linda Community Center, the JCC and other locations. . 

There is a wide choice of Kosher caters that will prepare a wonderful reception according to your budget and cuisine you prefer. We would be happy make recommendations that would suit your needs.

The Rabbis, and the Hebrew School staff will not attend any Bar Mitzvah reception that are not certified kosher.

Bar Mitzvah Training: Requirements for Bar Mitzvah
Private tutoring with Rabbi Levi begins at least 6 months prior to the Bar Mitzvah. Each session will be held at North County Chabad Center once a week for 45 minutes to one hour. The cost for the full Bar Mitzvah tutoring package is $800, which includes everything listed below as well as at least 15 private lessons with the Rabbi (is there is a need for more lessons there is no additional charge). A $250 deposit is required before or at the first meeting, and you can be billed with the credit card of your choice for the remaining balance. All fees must be paid two months prior to the Bar Mitzvah. This is a separate fee from the use of the sanctuary. No child will be turned away due to lack of funds. Arrangements can be made with the staff to ensure that each child receives a Bar Mitzvah.

Tefillin Instruction
Every Bar Mitzvah boy is expected to own and use a pair of Tefillin on a daily basis. The Rabbi will assist you in the instruction, teach the Bar Mitzvah the meaning, and help to assist in the purchase of Tefillin. It is also appropriate to begin putting on Tefillin 2 months before the Bar Mitzvah. This can be marked by a special breakfast at the Sunday Minyan.

Torah and/or Haftorah
The Bar Mitzvah boy will learn to read his Torah and/or Haftorah to be recited during the Shabbat service. The Rabbi will to give a lesson on the Haftorah, making it come alive for the student. Also, he will learn the blessings.  Many boys learn parts of the prayers which they lead on the day of the Bar Mitzvah. We will attune the program according to each child's abilities.

Maimonides Thirteen Principles of Faith

Each Bar Mitzvah student will learn the Thirteen Principles of Faith, which are the basis of Jewish belief, an integral part of Judaism. It will be learned inside using the Hebrew and English text.

Attendance
The Bar Mitzvah boy must attend at least 10 Shabbat services- (preferably Saturday morning) in the months prior to the celebration.

Speech
A speech based on the weekly Torah Portion is to be prepared by the Bar Mitzvah boy to be said at the end of services. It is preferable that a second speech be prepared to be recited at the reception.  The Rabbi will assist in preparing the presentation.

Bar Mitzvah Preparation
All candidates for Bar Mitzvah must meet with the Rabbi at least six months in advance to plan the service.

Chesed Project
Each Bar Mitzvah must do a Chesed project to benefit the Jewish community. This project might be help prepare packages for the holidays, raise money to help Jews in need etc. The Rabbi will assist each Bar Mitzvah in selecting a project best suited for them.

Book Report
Each Bar Mitzvah must select a book of Jewish interest and write a report about the book prior to the Bar Mitzvah. The Shul library has many wonderful publications to choose from. The Rabbi will help select a book.

 

 

 

Bar Mitzvah Application

(This does not include Bar Mitzvah service fee and facility rental).

Please Complete and Return to:

North County Chabad Center/Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen

19045 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Tel. 714-693-0770 Fax 714-693-9423 www.ocjewish.com

 

 

Date: ____________ Name: ____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

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Type of Event: ________________________________________________

Date(s) Requested for Event: ___________________________________

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Applicant Signature:

I ________________ have read the Bar Mitzvah Guide and agree to all terms and conditions.

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Additional Comments:

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Internal Use Only

Date Confirmed? _______                 Deposit Received? ______

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B”H