Haderech

Haderech is the name of our B'nei Mitzvah Education programme.*

All students start in October of Year 6 and finish in May in Year 8. We start with a family evening called Erev Gibush (an evening of coming together) because we want our students and families to get to know each other and to build a connection to one another and the community.

Year 6 students meet on Tuesdays after school.

Year 7 & 8 students meet on Wednesdays after school.

They have 2 lessons in the evening:

1. 5.15-6.00pm: Jewish studies content preparing them for their B'nei Mitzvah.

2. Hebrew or mentoring lesson

Hebrew lessons are at 4.15, 4.45 or 6.00pm and they can choose which time slot. If they have Hebrew at the earlier slots they can leave at 6.00pm.

If they can’t do early Hebrew then they will stay until 6.30pm.

Mentoring lessons start approximately 10 months before their B. Mitzvah and students are paired up with an older student from the community where they learn the prayers they will recite at their B. Mitzvah. They are at 6.00pm and finish at 6.45pm.

Each term the students study a different module which helps them prepare both personally and academically for their B'nei Mitzvah. The student centered approach helps to make their B. Mitzvah a personal journey where they understand different aspects that make up their Jewish identity.

• Me and My Jewish Identity
• Me and My Relationship with God and Prayer
• Me and My Community
• Me and My Relationship with the Torah
• Me and My Responsibilities as a B. Mitzvah
• Me and My Siddur
• Me and My Jewish Values
• Me and My Jewish Future

We also offer a Text Track programme in Year 7 for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of Jewish texts as an alternative to the standard B'nei Mitzvah programme.

There is a social element to Haderech for those who arrive before the start of the lesson where we have a café, table tennis and our Noam movement workers run activities for them.

In the Summer term of Year 8 we will end the programme with a Shabbaton and takeover a service where we can honour them all as a cohort for their commitment and achievements.

We also arrange Shabbat events for the students and their families including Friday night dinners and Shabbat Explanatory Services.

*We welcome new members who wish to join our synagogue. However, we regret to say that due to exceptionally large year groups and our presently available resources, our B'nei Mitzvah programme, Haderech, is full to capacity for current Years 5 & 6, nor are we able to offer Bar and Bat Mitzvah dates for new members in these year groups. We are able to add you to a waiting list for the B’nei Mitzvah programme, but can make no guarantees that spaces will become available. We hope that membership to our synagogue is still of interest to you despite these circumstances, but we would also be happy to chat to you about the other wonderful Masorti communities that may be in proximity to you and/or other teaching options for your child's B.Mitzvah.