What is a Bat Mitzvah?
Like all rites of passage, a Bat Mitzvah marks the movement from one stage of life to another—in this case, from childhood to adulthood. As a Bat Mitzvah, Nessa will now become an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community. This transition does not happen overnight, nor is it now complete. This is not an end, but a new beginning as Nessa continues her Jewish journey into adulthood.
The ceremony itself is an opportunity to demonstrate the Bat Mitzvah’s command of Jewish ritual and customs, as well as understanding the concepts of Judaism.
It is customary for the Torah to be taken out on Shabbat morning and the read the weekly portion. Nessa has been preparing to lead the Torah service and will be called to the Torah to read verses from the weekly portion, V’ikrya, or Leviticus.
How long is the service?
Services begin at 9:30am and generally conclude around 12:15pm, with a light lunch afterwards.
Please try to arrive no later than 10:00 a.m. and please enter the sanctuary quietly.
You may go in and out of the sanctuary during the service, except during a few parts when the ushers will keep the doors closed.
Please arrange for unaccompanied children to be picked up around 1:00 p.m.
Know before you go
Congregation Olam Tikvah is a Conservative congregation, therefore it is important to maintain the atmosphere of Shabbat (The Sabbath) both in the synagogue and on the grounds. This means…
Electronic devices may not be used on the synagogue grounds on Shabbat. Physicians on call who need to take emergency calls should set their cell phones to a silent/vibrate function and take or make calls outside the sanctuary and public view.
Drawing and writing are not permitted on Shabbat and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the synagogue grounds.
All men must wear a head covering (kippah) during services. Women are welcome to do so if that is their custom.
Jewish adult males (over the age of 13) should wear a tallit, but it is optional for Jewish adult women.