To help JKHA students appreciate the bar mitzvah time period, seventh grade boys had an amazing week of bar mitzvah programming. Students began their Bar Mitzvah Boot Camp (BBC) on Monday with a tefillin clinic, reviewing the laws of putting on tefillin and practicing with teacher guidance. On Wednesday students took part in zimun training, learning the basic rules for that ritual. Students also participated in aliyah certification as they reviewed the proper way to get an aliyah and had fun practicing while calling each other up to the Torah.

The highlight of the week was an incredible trip to Brooklyn which began with a visit to Rabbi Yaakov Michael, one of the best batim machers, tefillin makers, in the world. Rabbi Michael mesmerized students with the process of making tefillin, starting from the hide all the way to the finished product. Students loved seeing his incredible machinery used to make the tefillin square,  his high tech computer tefillin checking system and were able to practice making the shin of the tefillin. Students were welcomed into the famous Chaim Berlin Yeshiva where they heard inspiring words from one of the rebbeim and had a chance to witness the vibrancy of the Torah learning in their magnificent beit medrash. After lunch they made a stop at Eichler’s, the largest sefarim and Judaica store in the world. Their trip ended with Mincha at the famous Landau’s “minyan factory” where students were amazed to see the number of minyanim that take place there daily.

The program was capped off when students participated in a round robin session led by parents who encouraged students to consider their role as oskim b’tzarchei tzibur, those who involve themselves with the community. Doni Israeli discussed the role of the chazzan, Mitch Cohen discussed the role of the gabbai, Avi Laub discussed the opportunities that bnei mitzvah have to do chesed and Jonathan Teitelbaum taught students how to find time for Mincha and learning by “making time.” Students were so fortunate to have a panel of parents who spoke so passionately about topics very close to their hearts as their messages truly resonated with the students.