Bar/Bat Mitzvah Policies

• A Special Note to Interfaith Families
• Photography for Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services

Congregation B'nai Israel is delighted that you have chosen our synagogue and community as your spiritual and religious home. We recognize that, as an intermarried couple, you have special needs and interests, and we are always eager to respond to them.

Congregation B'nai Israel prides itself on making intermarried couples-especially the non-Jewish spouse-feel comfortable and at home here in our synagogue. A significant portion of our membership consists of interfaith families and we have worked hard over the years to make everyone feel at home in our congregation.

It is, however, the nature of a Jewish congregation that certain synagogue rituals are observed only by Jews. For example, reading from the Torah, reciting the blessings when honored with an aliyah (being called up) to the Torah, lighting Shabbat Candles, making kiddush, and symbolically passing the Torah on, L'dor Vador (from generation to generation). All of these are manifest Jewish religious acts that are observed at our religious services by a Jewish member of the family. Yet, there are numerous opportunities for the non-Jewish parent, and other non-Jewish family members, to participate in our services and participate in the sacred aspects of the day.

We welcome you to accompany your Jewish spouse to the Torah for an aliyah; stand beside your daughter for Shabbat candle lighting and your son for Shabbat kiddush on Friday evening; open and close the Ark; stand with your child before the Ark for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah blessing on Shabbat morning; and present appropriate prayers or readings on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

If at any time you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rabbi Agler, Rabbi Silvers, Cantor Shore or our Executive Director, Marilyn Asofsky.

In order to help maintain the sanctity of the occasion, we request that the following procedures be followed before, during and after religious services:

1. Photographers are to dress appropriately in order to respect the dignity of the service.
    
2. IN THE MAIN SANCTUARY: All photographic equipment must be removed from the bimah worship area 45 minutes prior to the start of the service. Photographers and videographers are restricted to the upper balcony of the sanctuary using natural lighting only.
    
3. IN THE CHAPEL: a) Photographers and videographers are not permitted to take pictures prior to the morning services. Neither the Oneg Room nor the Courtyard area may be used for photography prior to the 11:15 a.m. service as it is not appropriate while services are in progress in the sanctuary. Photographs may be taken immediately following the service or by appointment during the week prior to the service, by calling the Cantor's assistant.
     
   b) IN THE CHAPEL FOR MINCHA SERVICES:  
   All photographic equipment must be removed from the bimah worship area 45 minutes prior to the start of the service. Photographers and videographers are restricted to the specially designated areas at the rear of the chapel.
    
4. No artificial light of any kind or still cameras with loud shutter noise may be used. You will be asked to cease picture taking if your equipment interferes with the dignity of the service.
    
5. Equipment must remain stationary throughout the entire service.
    
6. There is an output jack for sound in the sanctuary loft. Only this jack, or the overhead monitor speakers, may be used to receive sound pickup.
    
7. Photography and video equipment are not permitted in the Social Hall during the Kiddush immediately following worship service.
8. In all areas, please follow instructions from the Rabbis, Cantor, ushers or lay leaders of our congregation. Let us know if you have any questions. It will enable us to serve you, our members, and our purpose to the highest possible degree.