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The B’Mitzvah Way

Program Overview

The B’Mitzvah year marks the beginning of a journey—an emotional, social, and physical journey that our tweens, and their families and community.

  • What does it mean to become a B’Mitzvah?

  • What does it mean to transition into adulthood?

  • What kind of human beings do we hope our tweens will grow into—and how do they view this themselves, and begin to live it out in the world?

Why do we read from the Torah as part of a B’Mitzvah—and should that always be the way? Might there be other meaningful ways to mark this milestone in our tweens’ lives?

Over the course of this program, tweens and their parents will have time and space to reflect deeply, grow together, and connect with Jewish wisdom, tradition, and community.

The program will be led by longtime educator Rabbi Elizheva Hurvich.

Year 1 Registration
Year 2 Registration

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Want to learn more about the program?

Please join us for an open house on Sunday, August 17 at 5pm.
This session will provide you and your tween an introduction to the program and the facilitator.

Click here to RSVP

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The Program

In the first year, we will:

  • Volunteer in our local community and reflect on how giving to others impacts our self-esteem, identity, and empathy.

  • Cook, celebrate, and connect with Jewish holidays and traditions—exploring what they mean to us personally, especially through the lens of our experiences as tweens.

  • Explore the real challenges of this age and seek out wisdom in Judaism that can guide us.

  • Collaborate with Wilderness Torah to experience Judaism through nature and the seasons.

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In the second year: 

  • We’ve teamed up with Judaism Your Way to bring you a unique second year program.

  • We offer two distinct pathways for continuing this journey, allowing each tween to shape their own unique expression of becoming a B’Mitzvah:
    • Torah service – this path will include learning prayers and the weekly portion, connecting the Torah with their personal story, and writing Dvar Torah that is based on this. All of this will be done while designing the service to the tween and family needs. 
    • Personal project – this path will include designing a personal project, volunteering, art project, and interviews around a topic that the tween is passionate about. Your tween will be able to design the project and reflect on it at the end of the journey.
Schedule

Year 1: The B’Mitzvah Way program will meet every other Sunday from September 7, 2025 – May 17,2026. Each meeting will run from 4-6pm. 

Year 2: The B’Mitzvah Way program will meet every other Sunday from September 7, 2025 – May 17, 2026. Each meeting will run from 6-7:30pm. 

Fees

Cost:

  • Year 1: $2,750
  • Year 2: $3,750*

*The second year cost includes personal Be Mitzvah training and the ceremony officiant.

Cancellation Policy 
If you wish to withdraw your child from the program, a Schedule Change email must be submitted to the Manager of Teen Programs. The $500 deposit will be forfeited for any withdrawal before the end of the school year. Any withdrawals will be subject to a prorated refund, at the discretion of the Manager of Teen Programs.

We never want cost to be an issue. Please reach out to us if  you need financial aid or a payment plan (learn more in the Financial Aid tab).

Financial Aid

The JCC East Bay recognizes that each family has different needs, and we want to support all families the best we can. Any families in need of financial support can apply for financial support through a confidential process.

Once registration and deposit has been paid, please email Yafit Shriki Megidish (yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org) to receive the financial aid application.

Registration

Registration is open!

Year 1 Registration

Year 2 Registration

Contact Us

Yafit Shriki Megidish 
Chief Jewish Learning Officer
yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 129