CREATIVE BAR/BAT MITZVAH
“Rabbi Melissa, We really can’t thank you enough. From the start, you understood what was important to us as a family, and you facilitated the process so that the uniqueness of our family as a whole, and the Bar Mitzvah boy in particular, was able to shine through. We all enjoyed the study sessions and you were able to cultivate our son’s curiosity and critical thinking, which is not an easy task on Sunday morning prior to a 6 hour day at rehearsals. The structure of your service and the adjustments you made in the moment to accommodate the non-Jews allowed everyone to feel like they had an important role. This was truly the most inclusive and meaningful Bar Mitzvah ceremony that I could ever imagine.”
“Melissa opened up my eyes and showed me how Judaism could make sense to me. When we started, I was worried about whether I could learn everything, but Melissa made our lessons easy and fun. I really liked going to see her every week.
”
My Philosophy of B'nei Mitzvah
We, as Jews, are so fortunate to have created a coming-of age-initiation process that roots itself in our tradition. Unfortunately, we have too often have lost touch with the meaning of Bar/Bat Mitzvah and impose a rigid structure of learning on our children. I believe that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation and event should be meaningful, fun and spiritually uplifting for both the child and his or her family. It is a time to move from memorization and party planning to reclaiming Bar/Bat-Mitzvah as a joyful season of preparation for this powerful rite of initiation.
Working with me includes:
• One on one mentor relationship at a critical threshold of a young adult's life
• The creation of a service (at a synagogue or at a private location) that reflects the personality and talents of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Involvement with family's congregation and/or other Jewish learning experiences, when appropriate.
• Family involvement in Torah study and Jewish learning
• Jewish life skills and hebrew tutoring
• Torah chanting- the learning of trope (musical notation of the chanting of Torah)
I look forward to hearing from you! You can contact me at 617-821-1104 or by email at: rabbimelissa@me.com