According to Jewish tradition, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a ritual, often around the age of 13, which marks the transition from being a minor to becoming an adult. After this ritual, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah will be granted adult responsibilities and privileges in the Congregation. They should also understand Jewish values well enough to help them make ethical choices of their own.

The central purpose of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience is for the young person to give personal meaning to the process and ritual that signifies passage into Jewish adulthood. Our overall goal is that the attainment of the status of Bar or Bat Mitzvah be truly meaningful. To that end, these guidelines are intended to provide a framework for a personal journey that will necessarily be tailored to meet individual needs.