We are excited for you or your child to attend Shabbat morning services when Eliana becomes a Bat Mitzvah. For those of you who have never attended a B' Mitzvah before, it is a Jewish rite of passage when a Jewish child becomes a full member of their religious community by reading from the Torah (the Hebrew Bible) for the first time. It is a joyous event and a reason to celebrate with family and friends.
Here is some helpful information that may help you to know what to expect during the service. Services begin promptly at 10:30 AM, so please make sure that you arrive on time. Eliana's friends' parents do not need to accompany their kids for the services, though you are more than welcome to stay if you would like to do so. If you are dropping off your child, they will be seated in a section reserved for Eliana's friends. Kids should be dressed appropriately. Your child should wear a nice dress, skirt and top, or nice pants and a button-down shirt, polo shirt, or sports jacket. If your child has a suit, they are welcome to wear it, but it is by no means required. It is not required that anyone wear kippot (traditional head coverings), but we will have them available if your child would like to wear one. Please note that the reception will involve an art project for the kids. It will use water soluable paint, and the kids will be given smocks, but please do not have them wear anything that cannot be washed or get paint on it.
The service will last between one-and-a-half to two hours. Most adults and kids over the age of ten should able to sit through the service easily, but if you or your child needs to briefly leave the sanctuary to use the restroom, there will be ushers who can direct you/them. Services are Woodlands Community Temple are very participatory, so we hope that everyone will join us in song. Even if you do not know the prayers or customs, we welcome you or your child to participate in any way that you/they are comfortable. You do not need to be Jewish or familiar with Jewish traditions in order to participate, you just need to bring your best wishes to celebrate with Eliana and our family. As with any religious service, it is important that everyone be able to remain quiet and respectful, in order not to distract others or disrupt worship. As such, all cell phones should be turned off during the service.
After the service, there will be a luncheon and reception at the synagogue for our invited guests. Fun will be had by all! The party will end at approximately 4 PM, so if you are dropping off your child, you can pick them up then at the synagogue. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send us an email at batmitzvah@scafidi.net.