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Be Mitzvah

Program Overview

We’ve teamed up with Judaism Your Way to bring you a brand new Be Mitzvah program!

The Be Mitzvah program offers a two-year, in-person small group learning cohort that guides students through this pivotal coming-of-age experience. The program offers a customizable approach that prioritizes personal connections to Judaism. This experience prepares students for a distinctive, meaningful, and personally curated Be Mitzvah ceremony that focuses on helping youth discover their individual identity within a Jewish context. 

With the understanding that words matter, Judaism Your Way intentionally uses Be because students are encouraged to think about how they want to Be in the world. Throughout the program, students are led through Jewish teachings to develop their spiritual toolkit.

The program will be led by Elizheva Hurvich. A Bay Area native, Elizheva, is a longtime educator. She is currently in her final year of Rabbinical School with ALEPH, Alliance for Jewish Renewal.

Register here

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Please join us for a Welcome Mixer on Sunday, September 22 from 6:00-7:30pm at the JCC East Bay.
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

The first year of the small group learning program includes classes on Jewish cuisine, art, outdoor activities, and a parent-only class that assists parents in supporting their children through their spiritual maturation.

At the end of year one, students follow the path of learning that feels most authentic to their core values and personal connection to the Jewish faith.

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The second year of the program, rather than a rigid curriculum that centers on conformity, the Be Mitzvah program guides students to craft their own service.

The program culminates in a self-designed Be Mitzvah ceremony, marking their transition to adulthood, which can be held in any location. 

Schedule

The Be Mitzvah program will meet on Sundays from September 22, 2024 – May 18, 2025. Each meeting will run from 4-5:30pm or 5:30-7pm (the cohort will vote on starting hours).

Important dates and closures for the 2024-2025 school year

September: 

  • September 22: special Welcome Mixer! RSVP here.
  • September 29: first session 

October 

  • October 13: closed for Yom Kippur 

November 

  •  November 24: closed for Thanksgiving

December 

  • December 22-January 4, 2025: closed for Winter Break 

January 2025 

  • January 5: first session after Winter Break 
  • January 19: closed for MLK Day 

February 

  • February 16: closed for President’s Day 

March 

  • March 30-April 5: closed Spring Break 

April

  • April 6: first session after Spring Break 
  • April 13-20: closed for Passover 

May 

  • May 18: last session and celebration!
Fees

Cost:

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

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

**If you are interested in signing up your child for an additional hour of Hebrew immersion prior to class (4-5pm), or on a Wednesday afternoon register here.

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! Click here to register.

Contact Us

Yafit Shriki Megidish 
Senior Director of Jewish Learning
yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 129