BAR/BAT MITZVAH

BAR/BAT MITZVAH IS A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR A JEWISH CHILD.  ON THE DAY OF THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH, THE CHILD IS CONSIDERED AN ADULT IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.  S/HE IS STILL A CHILD, HOWEVER, AT THE AGE OF BAR/BAT MITZVAH, THAT CHILD IS RESPONSIBLE TO OBSERVE THE COMMANDMENTS; CAN BE COUNTED FOR A MINYAN (A QUORUM OF 10 ADULTS NEEDED TO HOLD CERTAIN SERVICES); CAN GET AN ALIYAH FOR THE TORAH; ETC.
WHILE NO CEREMONY, OR A PARTY IS NEEDED TO BECOME BAR/BAT MITZVAH, IT IS A WONDERFUL TRADITION THAT DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST TIME THE CHILD RECEIVES AN ALIYAH AND OFTEN READS FROM THE TORAH.  IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHILD TO DELIVER A SERMON, THEREFORE ASSUMING THE ROLE OF A TEACHER IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE RABBIS TEACH THAT A BOY REACHES THE AGE OF BAR MITZVAH (SON OF THE COMMANDMENTS) AT AGE 13 – THE AGE IN WHICH A CHILD CAN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS.  THE RABBIS TEACH THAT A GIRL REACHES THAT STAGE AT AGE 12, BUT IT IS ALSO CUSTOMARY FOR SOME OUTSIDE THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY TO HOLD A BAT MITZVAH (DAUGHTER OF THE COMMANDMENTS) CELEBRATION AT AGE 13.
TOGETHER WE WILL DECIDE HOW MUCH YOUR CHILD WOULD READ FROM THE TORAH, IF ANY (IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT); WHETHER S/HE WILL DELIVER A SERMON AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE CELEBRATION, SO THAT IT IS A MEANINGFUL EVENT FOR YOUR CHILD AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY.  I AM OPEN TO OFFICIATING AT A LOCAL VENUE OR A DESTINATION LOCATION.