Welcome to Areyvut

Congregation B’nai Israel (Toms River, NJ)

Over the last few years Areyvut has worked with several synagogues and schools to organize and implement Bnai Mitzvah Fairs to help students begin to choose important Bar/Bat Mitzvah projects to add to their celebration. Areyvut wanted to build on the success of the Bnai Mitzvah Fairs and offer a more comprehensive program that would be more effective in inspiring students in finding meaning in their Bnai Mitzvah celebration.

In November 2006, Areyvut piloted The Meaning Behind Bnai Mitzvah at Congregation B’nai Israel in Toms River, NJ for 30 6th and 7th graders. This innovative curricular unit was developed by Areyvut’s Special Project Coordinator Shira Hammerman, Intern Yael Hammerman and Founder & Director Daniel Rothner


Session One: Preparation for the fair

The Meaning Behind Bnai Mitzvah is comprised of three sessions. At the first session Areyvut staff members engage students in discussions connecting their celebration with participation in a service project. Students also learn about Judaism’s core values of chesed,tzedakah and tikkun olam. In the second session, students complete an Intake Form which encourages them to think about their own personal strengths and interests as well as challenges in the world that their Bnai Mitzvah project can address. The students and their parents then attend a Bnai Mitzvah fair where various volunteer organizations showcase their work. The fair culminates with a reflection piece for the students and their parents. In the final session of this program, Areyvut staff members tie together what the students learned in the first two sessions and guide the students through the initial stages of their projects. Time is also spent discussing and reflecting on the impact each student can make in their communities.

Areyvut believes that this three part series can have a profound impact on the Bnai Mitzvah students by providing time for discussion and reflection. The curriculum and accompanying student resource guide will imbue within the students an increased passion and determination to include a meaningful project into their Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration.


	Session Two: The Bnai Mitzvah Fair. Students talking to Sarita Rosenstock of Raising Awareness Destination: Darfur

Reactions to this program from B’nai Israel administrators, teachers and students were highly positive. Students found the program to be engaging, relevant and applicable to their lives. As Samantha R described, “The program helped me pick what project I’m doing and it will help us do important things in the future.” Matt F. explained the significance of his experience in one sentence: “The program impacted me by helping to view other people and the world in a way.”

After the program, Lauren Gordon, the Principal at B’nai Israel said, “Areyvut focused our students on the importance of doing mitzvot leading up to the big day, as well as becoming life-long mitzvah doers! This program made our kids reflect on what is really the essence of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah through hands-on experiences, discussions, and going to an actual "Mitzvah Fair" where various charity organizations came to our synagogue and allowed our students and parents to visit each booth to learn more about the organization and how to become involved. The handbooks with ideas and organizations given out at the end will serve as an invaluable tool for the families.”

To read a story from The Jewish Journal about The Meaning Behind Bnai Mitzvah program at B’nai Israel please click here.

For more information on B’nai Israel, visit their website at www.bnaiisraeltomsriver.org.

For more information on how you can arrange a Meaning Behind Bnai Mitzvah Bnai Mitzvah program at your school, please contact Daniel Rothner at daniel@areyvut.org or 201-244-6702.