Reuben's Bar Mitzvah

Welcome! We are so excited and we hope you can join us at our synagogue for our special day.

What is a Bar Mitzvah?

When a Jewish boy turns 13, he becomes a “Bar Mitzvah”, a son of the commandments. This means he is responsible for his own actions, and is allowed to participate fully in Jewish religious life. 

November 30th, 2024, will be the first Saturday where he can read from the sefer Torah scroll on behalf of the congregation. We will celebrate with a kiddush lunch after services.

What is a Bar Mitzvah not?

It’s not a special service just for Reuben or for our family. While it’s very special and exciting to see Reuben reach this milestone, it’s a small part of a typical Saturday morning Jewish service. It’s not being held especially for/about Reuben. 

Where is the Bar Mitzvah?

The service will be at the New Shul at 7825 E. Paradise Lane; Scottsdale, AZ 85260. (Google Maps, Apple Maps)

The closest parking and handicap parking are at the northeast part of the lot. You can park in any non-reserved spot in the lot, including the south building. In the unlikely event that all spots are taken, you can also park in the much larger lot due south on 78th Street.

What time should we get there?

The service starts at 9 am and goes to 11:45, with lunch being served directly after. If you are not familiar with the service, we recommend arriving at 9:45. The Torah service will start around 10.

What shouldn’t we bring?

On Saturdays, our community strives to take a break from creative endeavors. This includes electronics.

Please make sure your cell phone is turned completely off. No cameras, crayons or writing instruments. 

No outside food. Our community keeps a kosher kitchen. This is more easily maintained by not bringing snacks to the service. If you have special dietary requirements and typically bring your own food to events, please reach out to RSVP@ReubenNickel.com and we will help make a plan. 

Gifts. Gifts are not typically received at the synagogue on Saturday. If you would like to give a gift, please bring it at another opportunity where you will see Reuben.

What happens at the service?

The service is broken into three parts: the morning service, the reading of the torah, and the additional service for Shabbat.

The morning service, or Shacharit, starts at 9am and includes opening prayers, the silent recitation of the Amidah, and the leader’s repetition of the Amidah. The prayers will all be in Hebrew and will be sung either in part or in whole by the leader or congregation. The leader will occasionally call out the page number. While the services are in Hebrew, the prayer book contains both English and Hebrew text, so it is possible to follow along with the text and themes.

At about 10am, the morning services will transition into the torah service. The scroll will be brought out and the week’s torah portion will be read in seven sections. Reuben will be reading the final section. After the torah is read, a reader will read the haftarah, a reading from Prophets that corresponds to the torah portion or special day.

After the torah service, there is the additional service for Shabbat, or Mussaf. This service is similar in structure to Shacharit, but much shorter.

What should I wear?

Wear reasonably nice clothes, like you would wear to church or similar.

Decorum

It’s polite to sit and stand, as you are able, with the congregation. It is not a declaration of faith. There are points in the service where the congregation will bow. It’s fine to skip this part. 

For men, it’s polite to cover your head with a kippah/yarmulke, which will be provided. In our community, women are also encouraged to cover their heads, and it’s festive to do so with a kippah, but not required.

Talking during the service is considered rude.

Children are welcome in the service, or to go upstairs and play. You are welcome to bring small toys and/or secular books to occupy them during the service. No electronic toys or coloring books, please.