Congregation Or Ami 

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B'nai Mitzvah

The Bar and Bat Mitzvah is a significant milestone in the life of every Jewish child and reflects that child's growing sense of commitment to Judaism and the Jewish People. It also conveys the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student’s responsibility for achieving the basic elements of Hebrew literacy, synagogue skills, and Judaic knowledge. 

 

Special program of B’nai Mitzvah tutoring is provided for each Bar and Bat Mitzvah student. Rabbi Michaels guides students in learning how to write a D’var Torah (sermonette), teaches prayer skills, and helps to develop their mitzvah and tzedakah projects. Augusta Levine tutors each child in learning how to cantillate the Torah and Haftarah with special emphasis upon the child’s own Torah portion. Shelly Evans assists the students in acquiring synagogue rituals skills related to the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony.

 

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ATID-The Post B'nai Mitzvah Learning Community

The teen years are filled with great joy and optimism about the future. What better opportunity is there for parents and the synagogue to help our youth shape their dreams and expectations than with the enduring values and rich history of the Jewish People? Our ATID (Post-B'nai Mitzvah) Learning program combines continued emphasis upon Jewish texts with a stimulating exploration of personal identity, Jewish ethics and philosophy for our time. It is part of a three-pronged program that emphasizes formal learning, OASYS-USY involvement, and service to the synagogue and community. The Kitah Chet (8th grade) of ATID meets every Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. while Kitot Tet through Yod-Bet (9-12th grades) meets twice monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

ATID Curriculum - Overall Goal:

To involve each student in a comprehensive program of Jewish learning and living that will prepare them for an active and committed Jewish life. This program reflects the Vision Statement of Congregation Or Ami that states:

"Kindling the Light of learning, spiritual growth, and compassion to nurture creative and innovative Jewish life in the home, in the synagogue, and in the community"

This program is intended to incorporate three aspects:

• Formal Jewish learning through the classes (Torah study)
• Youth group experience through the OASYS- USY program (Avodah- spiritual growth)
• Service to the synagogue and community through mitzvah projects and participation in the religious life of Congregation Or Ami (Gemilut Hasadim- acts of lovingkindness)
  

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Shabbaton

A Shabbaton (weekend retreat) is held annually at CampYoung Judaea in Wimberly, Texas as a means of creating a spiritually vibrant celebration of Shabbat and Jewish life. The Shabbaton features song, dance, prayer, study and recreation from sundown Friday through Sunday morning. The program is designed and led by congregants along with the Rabbi and is one of the most popular activities of the synagogue.