This gallery of B’nai Mitzvah Innovations profiles cutting edge approaches to B’nai Mitzvah.
First, begin your exploration of our six areas of experimentation with a button below.
Second, enjoy browsing through each of the snapshots in the collections.
Values Action Experience
Students embark on a six- to eight-month experience in preparation for becoming b’nai mitzvah, which includes three components: Torah, avodah (worship), and g’milut chasadim (action/value). Students begin their journeys by studying their given Torah portions, and, through the course of study, they pick one value in their portion that they wish to explore further. They then design projects to help them live out and explore that value, and they prepare a creative presentation about their experiences for the b’nai mitzvah services.
Lessons Learned
Temple Israel began this project with b’nai mitzvah students, along with developing a values-based curriculum for first graders. Eventually, the congregation plans to have an entirely values-based curriculum from first grade through high school.
Program Info
Grade levels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Learners: Children (pre-B’nai Mitzvah), Parents
Families have the option of enrolling in the program instead of the regular educational offerings.
Year Implemented: 2013
Areas:
- Participating in Community
- Reparing the World
About Us
Temple Israel
Columbus, OH
575 members
Reform Congregation
B’nai Mitzvah each year: 20