Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Prep Course
Give your Child a Life Changing Bar or Bat Mitzvah
6 part video series
An interactive journey led by Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev tackling some of Judaism's biggest questions
parents' manual
Full of resources and materials to help you guide your child through this once-in-a-lifetime experience
Get started now
Rabbi David Fohrman
Is the founder and CEO of Aleph Beta, a non-profit media company that produces high-quality Torah videos highlighting a unique methodology in studying Torah text in a way that is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally engaging. Rabbi Fohrman also lectures internationally on Biblical themes. He served as a senior writer and editor for ArtScroll’s Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, and taught Biblical themes at Johns Hopkins University. Rabbi Fohrman’s recorded lectures and animated videos are available at members.alephbeta.org. His published works include The Beast That Crouches at the Door, The Queen You Thought You Knew, and The Exodus You Almost Passed Over.
Immanuel (aka Imu) Shalev
Is the Chief Operating Officer at Aleph Beta. He works closely with Rabbi David Fohrman and a team of talented writers, video editors and web developers on creating video presentations for the meaningful study of Jewish text. Immanuel co-hosted “The Parsha Experiment”, a series of videos with the aim of exploring the Torah’s overall storyline. Immanuel previously served as a singer and director of the Maccabeats and wrote and produced the viral video “Candlelight” with over 14 million hits on Youtube. He is passionate about bringing meaning to Jewish education through the medium of video and technology. Immanuel graduated from Fordham Law School and Yeshiva University.
Why This Course?
Some of the relevant questions answered include:
What does it mean to be a Jewish adult, and why does it happen at this age?
How can a 12 or 13 year old form a relationship with God?
What is Judaism all about?
Why do we have all these laws? And what’s the deeper meaning behind the mitzvot?
For most kids, learning for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah is a one shot deal. They put in a few months worth of work to prepare them to perform for one day. Oftentimes they’ll read from the Torah or lead part of the davening, and they’ll do some learning so that they’ll have something to talk about it in their speech. And then it’s over. Kiddush, party and we’re done.
But you know what they’re missing out on? The actual meaning of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. It’s not just a glorified birthday party, or a course in Public Speaking 101! It’s meant to be a stepping stone that catapults them into a life of inspired Jewish living and learning! But when the Bar or Bat Mitzvah becomes a one-time experience, and a one-time performance, the chances for a lasting effect are slim.
That’s what sets this course apart from your typical Bar and Bat Mitzvah learning. The course addresses some of the biggest, most relevant questions for entering the Bar and Bat Mitzvah stage. Questions that will continue to be meaningful and relevant as your child grows.
Best of all, we’ve created this course for you to take together with your child, at your own convenience! You don’t have to just be the party planner for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We’re giving you everything you need to guide your child through this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You’ll receive a six part video series with guided questions and points for discussion; an illustrated printer-friendly guide; a parents’ manual to making a meaningful Bar or Bat Mitzvah; and access to Aleph Beta’s exclusive online video library!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up now, and let the journey begin!
About The Course
six animated videos
The heart of the course that includes interactive questions and discussion points along the way
illustrated study guide
Fits into your schedule. Print it out, read it on Shabbat or whenever is most convenient. You decide!
parents‘ manual
To guide you through the course and give you resources to make this day even more special
exclusive podcast
An insider’s view into the course and the meaning of Bar and Bat Mitzvah with our writers
learning community
Join our discussion forum with other kids and parents taking the course and our own top notch educators
amazing parsha videos!
Everything you need for your child’s parsha, including 3 videos, a study guide, podcast episode and access to our library of over 300 videos!*
*All Bar and Bat Mitzvah students get parsha resources, but only the All Access Plan includes a one year subscription to Aleph Beta and access to our extensive online video library.
Great format for learning together!
"Loved the question/discussion time. Fascinating. We really learned together - probably for the first time in a deep way - and that was wonderful. Great format for learning together! Love the videos and the chance to discuss and learn torah together - a real gift!”
Chaya L. | Customer
For Boys and Girls
This course is designed for both girls and boys - for Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. The reason for this is simple. Although in many communities boys and girls perform mitzvot differently from one another and may celebrate their Bar or Bat Mitzvah differently from one another, this course is about BIG QUESTIONS in Judaism that apply to everyone equally - regardless of gender, and even regardless of age or style of observance.
Find the Perfect Fit for Your Schedule
The course is broken up into six sections, that take around 45 minutes each. We give you both a video and printable version of the course, so that you can choose the best way to use it for you and your child.
There are many ways the course can be taken. Here are some of our suggestions. You can:
Watch the entire video course together with your daughter or son
Watch it separately from your child, and then set aside times for discussion when you’re both available
Print the guide version and spend a few Shabbat afternoons or Sunday mornings going through it together with you child
Watch or read through the entire course in just one or two sittings, on your morning commute, on an airplane, a free evening, etc. Then get together to discuss it with your child at a time that works for both of you
In short… do what works for you, and be creative! Find a way to make this a fun and enjoyable experience for you both!
And, if you simply can’t make the time to do the course yourself, your child can also take this course with a tutor, a Rabbi, an older sibling, or even a group of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students.
We’re handing you the resources, it’s up to you to use them in the way that best suits your family’s needs.
Get Started Now
All-Access
You get the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Prep Course (a $150 value!) PLUS a 1-Year recurring Premium Membership (a $180 value!) to Aleph Beta!
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