Becoming a Bar, Bat, or B’nei Mitzvah is a serious commitment. Most of our B’nei Mitzvah spend 12-14 months training, and some may spend even longer if they have learning challenges or need Hebrew support. This gives them time to learn Torah and haftarah trope, learn and understand their parshiyot, and prepare a D’var Torah without undue pressure. Families should expect to make weekly tutoring sessions a part of their routine.
At Chizuk Amuno, we take pride in matching each B’nei Mitzvah candidate with the tutor who will best suit their needs and personality. As Cantor Lichterman works with students during their first few sessions, he takes care to observe their interests and personalities as well as their Hebrew and musical capacity to suggest the best match to bring out their strengths and help them feel supported over the course of their year of study.
Many of our students work with madrikhim, teen tutors who work closely with the cantor to continue their own Jewish education and to pass on their knowledge and passion. The word madrikh can mean “guide” or “leader,” with roots suggesting “one who knows the path.” Our madrikhim have all been dedicated B’nei Mitzvah at Chizuk Amuno themselves and choose to continue to learn to daven and leyn after their semahot, broadening their knowledge by reading Torah several times a year and attending sessions with the Hazzan. This makes them ideal mentors for rising B’nei Mitzvah, and also gives their students a connection to someone in the community who is just a few years older and can relate to their challenges and successes.
For some students, an adult tutor may be a better fit, and we work with many who are knowledgeable and specialized. A child may be better suited to an adult tutor if they have learning differences, anxiety, or other attributes that tend to affect their schoolwork. An adult tutor may also be recommended for a student whose date, such as a Rosh Hodesh or holiday service, makes the structure of their service different from a typical Shabbat.
Whether your child is paired with a madrikh or an adult, we ask that you trust our experience in finding the right match. In addition to Cantor Lichterman’s early sessions with each student, their teachers at Rosenbloom or KSDS may be asked to weigh in on suggested partners, and we also consider school and family schedules and where students and tutors live when making these partnerships. We are proud of the impact that our tutors and madrikhim have on their students in building their understanding and confidence, and hope to offer you a connection that will last long after the celebrations.
