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Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
“Five years is the age for the study of scripture, ten for the study of Mishnah, thirteen for becoming subject to commandments, fifteen for the study of Talmud... Fifty for ability to give counsel, sixty for mature age…” (Pirke Avot 5:24)
The act of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah – often translated as “son or daughter of the commandment(s)” raises a Jewish child to the status of adult in the religious community. At Westminster Synagogue we offer a unique B'nei Mitzvah programme for our families. Our aim is to create knowledgeable young Jewish adults who, through the process of becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah, will become active members of the community, and who have a love of Judaism that will guide them throughout their lives. For more information, please contact Daniela Rotbande, our Head of Youth Education.
We also offer the opportunity for adults who did not have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the past to work towards one as an adult - please contact Yael Roberts to learn more about this process.
Our community believes that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service is a choice, not a requirement, for young people and their families. Our young people have found their Bar and Bat Mitzvah services vital and meaningful to their spiritual growth; and families and friends have found the services beautiful and moving. The decision to observe a Bar or Bat Mitzvah rests with the child and his or her family. If chosen, the experience must be seen as an integral part of the child's larger Jewish education.
Our community also believes that the Bar or Bat Mitzvah journey is of profound significance. As such, we have created the Westminster B’nei Mitzvah Programme which extends over two years and is structured as a series of weekly sessions for students aged 11-13. In addition to classes, we also regularly invite families to join us for Friday evening services and Chavurah (community) Shabbat meals when they can, thus building a strong sense of family involvement in the preparation for Bar and Bat Mitzvah. The programme also includes two residential weekends and out-of-synagogue activities, including annual trips abroad to places of Jewish historical interest. As some of our students attend boarding school, distance learning can be arranged for those living away from London during term time.
Our objective is to build lasting bonds among our B’nei Mitzvah students; we place great value on their ability to support and enhance one another’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah journeys and we believe that these bonds will continue to enhance their lives as they become Jewish adults.
For any questions, do contact Daniela Rotbande, our Head of Youth Education, or Julieta Kunik, our Lifecycle Coordinator.
Sat, 26 April 2025
28 Nisan 5785
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Saturday ,
AprApril 26 , 2025Pre-Service Parsha
Shabbat, Apr 26th 9:45am to 10:25am
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Saturday ,
AprApril 26 , 2025B'nei Mitzvah Class (BM1)
Shabbat, Apr 26th 10:00am to 12:15pm
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Saturday ,
AprApril 26 , 2025Or Shabbat Classes
Shabbat, Apr 26th 10:00am to 12:15pm
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Saturday ,
AprApril 26 , 2025Shabbat Morning Service
Shabbat, Apr 26th 10:30am to 12:30pm
Shabbat Morning Services that bring members of all ages and generations together to pray, learn and celebrate Shabbat. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 27 , 2025Teens/Post Bm day trip
Sunday, Apr 27th 9:00am to 6:00pm
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Sunday ,
AprApril 27 , 2025Interfaith Event: Notre Dame de Paris
Sunday, Apr 27th 6:00pm to 7:30pm
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Monday ,
AprApril 28 , 2025Next Dor Pizza Party @ Pizza Express
Monday, Apr 28th 7:00pm to 10:00pm
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Monday ,
AprApril 28 , 2025Ulpan Course Spring 2025
Monday, Apr 28th 8:00pm to 9:00pm
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Wednesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2025Or Chadash (The History of Ancient and Modern Israel - Rabbi Benji)
Wednesday, Apr 30th 6:30pm to 7:45pm
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Wednesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2025Erev Yom HaAtzmaut
Wednesday, Apr 30th 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Today's Calendar
: 9:45am |
: 10:00am |
: 10:00am |
Havdalah : 9:05pm |
Friday Night
: 5:00pm |
: 7:30pm |
Candle Lighting : 8:07pm |
Shabbat Day
: 9:45am |
: 10:00am |
: 10:00am |
Havdalah : 9:17pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Apr 26 |
Apr 26 |
Apr 26 |
Apr 27 |
Apr 27 |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Sh'mini
Shabbat, Apr 26 |
Candle Lighting
Shabbat, Apr 26, 7:57pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Apr 26, 9:05pm |
Yom HaZikaron
Wednesday, Apr 30 |
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