In Pardess, the B’nai Mitzvah Year is much more than preparing for a culminating ritual. It is a significant rite of passage, a whole year for young teens to explore who they are and what kinds of adult they want to become. Although they may begin expecting to be treated like children and told exactly what to do, by the end, most have tasted the freedom of making many of their own choices, the responsibility of following through, and the fun and meaning of connecting with their Jewish roots. It is also a time for a youth to be welcomed into an adult community, to experience the love and appreciation of their family and the extended Pardess community.

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Pardess Rabbinic Guide Zann Jacobrown guides each B’nai Mitvah student on their year-long journey with deep knowledge and compassion. Her fun, lively and individualized approach goes well beyond the teaching of prayers and parashot. The year culminates with a B’nai Mitzvah Service that is designed in close collaboration with the young teen and family, making the rituals diverse and personal. Singing, dancing, traditional Shabbes blessings, parasha readings, aliyot, meaningful and warm stories, and blessings from the family and/or chosen family are elements that weave through the celebrations.

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Although most B’nai Mitzvot are members of Pardess, we welcome anyone, of any age, who has a sincere desire for a deep dive into personal growth and Jewish roots. 

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A Pardess B’nai Mitzvah Year is shaped by four projects inspired by the Kabbalistic Four Worlds: a Mitzvah Project for Assiyah, the world of doing; a Creative Project for Yetsirah, the world of the heart; a Wisdom Project for Briah, the world of thoughts; and a Spiritual Adventure for Atzilut, the world of meditation. 

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Mitzvah Project

During their B-Mitzvah Year, students are encouraged to focus on a social justice issue of personal interest or connection. Attending Black Lives Matter rallies, raising money for low-income and homeless teens, organizing a two-day mural-painting event for the doors of the residents of a tiny home tent city, and gathering much-needed supplies for neglected animals represent just a sampling of recent Pardess Mitzvah Projects.

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Creative Project

Under the guidance of Zann, her husband artist Craig Jacobrown, or another Pardess community member, the young teens explore their personal spiritual journey and/or connection to Jewish culture and tradition through a creative expression. B’nai Mitvah students have decorated their siddurim (prayerbooks) with their own artwork or poetry, made personal tallises (prayer shawls), learned to play or sing Jewish music, kept reflective journals, and cooked delicious Jewish dishes.

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Wisdom Project  

A central and classic piece of the B’nai Mitzvah Year is Jewish learning including prayers, Torah, history and stories—a strong grounding in a young teen’s Jewish roots. At Pardess, we also highly value personal growth, and find that when students are listened to with respect and generosity, they are excited to think deeply about ethics and meaning, and are able, many for the first time, to articulate what kind of adult they want to become. Wisdom Projects include reading and discussing a Jewish history book, novels, movies and legends, as well as interviewing people the students think are wise. 

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Spiritual Adventure

Most students come to their B-Mitzvah Year with vague spiritual beliefs and a rare few with practices including meditation and ritual. Others don’t identify with spirituality at all. Our approach is to give them a Jewish spiritual context which is open enough that they can begin to discover their own philosophy and useful life skills. An important piece of this is the Spiritual Adventure, a time in nature, often with some time alone. The students drive the design themselves, choosing things they like doing, but also adding in challenges that give them the sense that their mettle has been tested. Recent Spiritual Adventures include a day-long meditation and kayak trip along a wild beach in Puget Sound, a meditative winter hike in the Olympic Mountains in search of snow, and a grueling two-day bike ride across Eastern Washington.

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To connect with Rabbinic Guide Zann Jacobrown to begin B'nai Mitvah tutoring and planning for your teen or yourself, contact us.