Bar/Bat Mitzvah TAG 13 Program

The year leading up to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is one filled with learning for our students. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience marks the transition from childhood to responsible adulthood. It is a time when, according to Jewish tradition, a young person is recognized as being ready to assume more responsibility. We have developed TAG 13, an independent study program, to provide a child with the first steps toward becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah-a true guardian of Judaism.

WHAT IS TAG 13?
The name "TAG 13" refers to the three parts of the program:
T = Torah   (Study & Learning)
A = Avodah  (Worship Service)
G = Gemilut Chasadim (Deeds of Loving-Kindness)

TAG 13 is a family and individualized program of study and deed based on the teaching of Rabbi Shimon the Righteous who, in Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), taught:

"The world stands on three things; Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chasidim." (Study, Worship/Service to G-d, and Deeds of Loving Kindness) The student will perform various mitzvot in each of these three areas.

This journey through TAG 13 will lead students to their heritage, history, people, community, synagogue and ultimately, themselves. Rabbi Silvers will assist in completing TAG 13, and will guide students along the way. In addition, Aley Sheer, our Youth Director, and Heidi Estrin, our librarian, along with many of our own TAG 13 parents, help to connect students to the resource materials needed at our monthly workshops. The synagogue, too, will acknowledge and honor all students who successfully complete the TAG 13 program at a year-end service.

WHERE DID TAG 13 COME FROM?
TAG 13 comes from a concept developed on a kibbutz in Israel, where a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, in addition to studying his or her Torah and Haftarah portions, is asked to perform 13 different good deeds to help the kibbutz. In the United States, many congregations have put together their own pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah programs asking their students to perform mitzvot, do community service, study, etc. TAG 13 represents Congregation B'nai Israel's version of this exciting program.

WHY TAG 13?
Just as an athlete, musician, or actor practices and rehearses to achieve their goal, so one must practice mitzvot before (and certainly after) becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. TAG 13 provides this opportunity for both the student and family. Through acts of study, worship and loving kindness, we may come to better understand what it means to be a Jew. By doing mitzvot, we will make ourselves better human beings, and the world in which we live, a better place for everyone.

HOW DOES TAG 13 WORK?
In each category (Torah (learning), Avodah (worship), Gemilut Chasadim (community service), there are activities to be completed by all Bar/Bat Mitzvah students. A resource guide is provided to assist with written material in order to complete the Torah section. A list of agencies/organizations seeking volunteers is provided.