Information for Mitzvah Parents
Mazel Tov and Congratulations - your child is about to celebrate their mitzvah ceremony.
The education of our children is a foundational value of the Jewish people. JCOGS considers the Mitzvah ceremony preparation process and the celebration as just one step along the way, It is part of the journey and not the destination. Our goal at JCOGS is to prepare our students to be literate and engaged members of a greater Jewish community who are comfortable in various Jewish settings.
The Mitzvah Program
The Mitzvah program is based on the belief that during the mitzvah preparation year students should have the chance to pray, study, and play together. They will learn to chant their Torah portion and lead the congregation in prayer as well as engage in discussions that will lead them to writing a devar Torah (speech) and complete the 13 Mitzvot Challenge - a set of 13 activities that are designed to help each child develop as individuals, members of a family and members of the great Jewish Community .
The Mitzvah program meets on Sunday mornings two to three times a month from 10-12. Once a month students and family members are expected to attend a Saturday morning Shabbat service so that the students get to experience the very service that they will be leading for their mitzvah ceremony.
Role of the Rabbi
During the time that your child is preparing for their Mitzvah ceremony, and your family is making plans to celebrate them, you and the Rabbi will have the opportunity to get to know each other better. You will meet to discuss expectations and to work together to make the process and the ceremony unique to you and your child. In addition the Rabbi teaches a "How to Write A Devar Torah" class and will meet with your child to work on their d’var Torah/sermon
Role of the Mitzvah Program Coordinator
The mitzvah program coordinator serves as the liaison between the family, the student, and JCOGS and will work closely with the family and the student throughout the process.