B'nai Mitzvah Timeline

The Timeline Checklist

Chai Five Year One: Welcome to our B’nai Mitzvah Community

Between 3 and 4 years prior to B’nai Mitzvah​

• September - Enroll in Chai Five as a family at no additional cost.​
• ​October - Attend the B'nai Mitzvah Parent Meeting to meet those in your community cohort and to learn about the process of selecting a date.​
• ​October and beyond - Join us for a variety of services before selecting the best fit B’nai Mitzvah service ritual for your family.​
• ​November - February - Consider a consultation with the B’nai Mitzvah coordinator to answer any questions about the service, educational preparation, date selection, location, and expenses.​
• January - February - Submit Your Date Preferences for B’nai Mitzvah in response to the form emailed to you.​
• March - Join us for the B’nai Mitzvah Date Reveal Ritual.​
• April - Participate in Yom Mitzvah (Mitzvah Day) for all B’nai Mitzvah families.​
• May - Enroll in the Chai Five Peer Leader Matching Program.

Chai Five Year Two: Kehillah Among Peers

Between 2 and 3 years prior to B’nai Mitzvah​

• September - Join your Chai Five peers and our peer leaders for programming during Shabbat mornings, High Holidays, and other options throughout the school year.​
• September - May - Attend Shabbat Morning Services, High Holiday services, Mitzvah Day, and other events alongside a Chai Five Peer Leader.​
• January - May - Plan to select a tutor 18 months prior to your B’nai Mitzvah date to allow tutoring to begin one year prior to your selected date.  A list of approved tutors is available here.​
• May - Plan to continue Chai Five into Year Three:  Connecting Across Families.

Chai Five Year Three: Connecting Across Families

Between 1 and 2 years prior to B’nai Mitzvah​

• August - May - Attend Shabbat Morning Services at least monthly and attend monthly Shabbat morning programs as part of Chai Five: Connections Across Families.​
• August - December - Plan to select a tutor 18 months prior to your B’nai Mitzvah date to allow tutoring to begin one year prior to your selected date. A list of approved tutors is available here.​

One year in advance of your date  ​

• Begin weekly tutoring sessions at one year out or sooner if necessary.​
• ​Please set up a meeting with Rabbi Ari Kaiman as a family (both parents and the student) to frame the B’nai Mitzvah year ahead. Visit Rabbi Kaiman’s Calendly site to schedule a 60-minute in person appointment.​
• ​Schedule a meeting with the Executive Director to plan for reserving spaces and making arrangements for your simcha.​
• ​Select among the Approved Caterers for your simcha.​
• May - Plan to continue Chai Five into Year Four:  Celebrations and Contributions

Chai Five Year Four: Celebrations and Contributions

For 1 year prior to B’nai Mitzvah and for the months following until August​

• ​12 months before - Continue to attend Shabbat Services.  Be sure to attend other B’nai Mitzvah.  Sign up to lead a prayer in an ALT service.​
• ​Begin tutoring one year in advance of your selected date.​
• ​Sign up for the Sisterhood Linens & Decor program. Please note that all items used in centerpieces must be compostable or able to be donated or reused.​

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6 months prior 

• ​Meet with the Executive Director regarding plans for Kiddush luncheon.​
• Schedule an Initial Meeting with Rabbi Kaiman for D’Var Torah Preparations.​
• ​Meet with the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator for timeline support and to discuss potential Torah readers.​
• ​Consider signing up to lead a prayer in the main sanctuary service by contacting the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator.​
• ​Plan to purchase a tallit.​

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Four Months Prior​

• Begin work on the Gabbai Sheet and make selections for Torah Readers no later than 90 days prior to the selected date.​
• Continue working on the D’Var Torah.​

• ​Order Kippot if you choose to do so.  Recommendations for vendors used by previous families are available on the Shearith Israel B’nai Mitzvah website.​
• ​Order Sunkist Gems candy if you choose to have candy thrown at the service.​

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Three Months Prior​

• ​Finalize Torah readers.​
• ​Consider signing up to lead a prayer in the main sanctuary service by contacting the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator.​

Two Months Prior

Contact Adam Klein at adam.klein@shearithisrael.com to: ​

• Schedule a walk-through of the service and review of the Gabbai Sheet with Rabbi Kaiman and your tutor to occur within 3 weeks of the simcha.​
• Schedule pictures in the sanctuary if you choose to do this.  Be sure to schedule Rabbi Kaiman if you would like for him to be present.

One Month Prior​

• ​Finalize plans with the Executive Director for Kiddush Lunch or other catering events, rentals, and logistics.​

• Finalize the D’Var Torah with Rabbi Kaiman.​
• ​About 3 weeks prior to the date, attend the walk-through of the service session with both Rabbi Kaiman and your tutor.​
• Finalize the Gabbai Sheet.​
• After the completion of the Gabbai Sheet, submit the program to the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator for approval.​

• ​Submit a biography and photo for the Shearith Israel weekly e-blast via this form.

​Week of the Simcha​

• ​If you are using Sisterhood Linens & Decor, you will need to set the tablecloths on the tables between Wednesday morning at 9am and Friday afternoon at 1pm.​

• ​Set up any Kiddush centerpieces that you wish to display. Please be sure to remove the centerpieces after your simcha and return any supplies to Sisterhood Linens & Decor by Wednesday of the following week.​

• ​Deliver the programs, kippot, and candy to the synagogue office.

Mazel Tov on your B’nai Mitzvah!

Chai Five Year Five: Continuing the Story

After your B’nai Mitzvah​

• Continue the Chai Five Year Four: Celebrations and Contributions and participate in philanthropic events.​
• Please return to the bima and share your talents with us again!  You can earn a Golden Kippah if you read Torah 10 times.​
• ​Sign up for the B’nai Mitzvah Tefillin Challenge.​
• ​May - Sign up for Chai Five Year Five: Continuing the Story to be a PAID Chai Five Peer Leader.