For a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service for a son or daughter, Rabbi Qassim Birk usually should be contacted at the very latest before the child’s 12th birthday. In some cases the desire for a service comes late or for other reasons a delay proves necessary. In this case, please contact Rabbi Qassim Birk anyway – we often have services for young people who are older than 13 and there is no negative view of this.

The Ivriah curriculum does not provide special tuition for this occasion but private individual instruction can be made available outside Ivriah. Generally, candidates must reach a level of Hebrew to show that they fully comprehend everything they are required to read at the ceremony.

Every young person who chooses, with their family, to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah is unique. Rabbi Qassim Birk has experience working with families and young people with varying different needs, including special educational needs. Please do not be anxious about discussing your thoughts with her, she is happy to help everyone find the journey to Bar/Bat Mitzvah to be meaningful.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
What to do next

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Translated literally, Bar/Bat Mitzvah means “son” (bar) or “daughter” (bat) “of the Commandments.” Up until the late Middle Ages, a boy or girl would virtually ‘overnight’ become an adult and subject to all the obligations applicable to men and women under Halakhah (Jewish Law). From that time, a boy marked his competence to enter the adult Jewish world by being ‘called-up’ to read all or part of the Parashah (weekly Torah portion) and often the Haftarah (reading from the Prophets).

Liberal Judaism affirms the equal status of boys and girls in religious education. Accordingly, we offer both Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies in our community as part of a Shabbat Morning Service at the age of 13. At FPS we believe that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is only one step in a process. Children (and parents) are expected to commit to regular attendance at Ivriah (Religion School) for two years before the service and Synagogue Services for one year in the lead up to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Families must also commit to additional tuition for learning of the prayers and Torah portion and to agree to continue the child’s religious education up to Kabbalat Torah. Involvement in a Social Action project is also often encouraged.

Rabbi Qassim Birk would be delighted to talk with you about becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Some people join the synagogue solely for the purpose of giving their child this wonderful opportunity. However, once members they discover that Judaism and the FInchley Progressive Synagogue community has so much more to offer and they have so much more to give. Please think about ways in which you might like to become involved whilst your child prepares – thus demonstrating the importance of Judaism in your life too.

Adult Bar/Bat MItzvah

Liberal Judaism recognises that Bar/Bat Mitzvah may also be a meaningful ceremony for adults. Some may not, for whatever reason, have had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as part of a Synagogue service when they were 13. Others may wish to renew or reaffirm their personal commitment to Jewish tradition. Rabbi Qassim Birk would be delighted to assist any adult in furthering their Jewish education and in preparation for being called up before the congregation to read from the Torah.

What to do next

Call Rabbi Qassim Birk (020 8446 4063). There is no such thing as a stupid question – just ask!

Have your diary ready to arrange a meeting with Rabbi Qassim Birk . She will go through the synagogue requirements and expectations and answer any questions plus she will offer you possible dates.

Once the date has been set you will be sent a letter with details confirming the date, information about tutors and hosting the kiddush.

All of these ceremonies may be marked by parents with the giving of Tzedakah (charity). If you would like to make a donation to the synagogue, please contact our administrator on 020 8446 4063.