We are currently scheduling the Class of 5776
(September 2015 - June 2016)
TWO IMPORTANT THINGS
- Submit the scheduling questionnaire by March 10, 2013
- Questions not covered here? Contact us at bnaimitzvah@jrc-evanston.org.
FAQs
Who's in the Class of 5776?
Children of JRC members born between September 2002 and August 2003 who will attend JRC's Religious School for at least the two years prior to b'nai mitzvah (fifth and sixth grades), plus the entire seventh grade year. This religious school requirement is waived for children who attend Jewish day schools.
Are there any other eligibility requirements?
Families must be members of JRC in good standing - this means that, not only have you renewed your membership for the current year, but that you are also up to date with all your financial commitments to JRC (dues, tuition, pledges, etc.).
If you owe money to JRC, it is essential that you settle your account as soon as possible, otherwise you will not receive a b'nai mitzvah date for your child at the same time as the rest of the class.
How does the scheduling process work?
Families with children born in the date range (above) are invited to participate by completing this scheduling questionnaire. The deadline to complete the questionnaire is Sunday, March 10, 2013. If you choose not to submit a questionnaire, the scheduling process will continue without your input.
After March 10, our B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator will begin to organize the b'nai mitzvah calendar. Each family is contacted before the calendar is set. Once this step is completed, JRC sends a confirmation letter to each family with the child's b'nai mitzvah date and Torah portion.
Please Note: the entire b'nai mitzvah class is scheduled together. It is essential that you submit your questionnaire by the deadline, and respond to follow-up calls and emails in a timely manner. Your cooperation will determine how smoothly and quickly the process goes.
My child is the right age, and I'm a member in good standing, but I didn't receive an invitation to participate in the scheduling process - what gives?
Our sincere apologies - it may be that you joined JRC after the process began, or for some reason, your child's name didn't come up on the birth date list. If you feel you've been left out of the process, please contact us at bnaimitzvah@jrc-evanston.org so we can make things right.
Will my child be sharing his/her b'nai mitzvah with another student?
The class of 5776 is quite large - possibly the largest in JRC's history - so be prepared to share a date with another family. In order to ensure the most harmonious matches between children and families, please be sure to complete the scheduling questionnaire by the deadline. We will take your input into account, but ultimately it is the B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator - with the advice of the clergy - who makes the matches, not individual families. Families that express a willingness and flexibility regarding date sharing will be given preference for in-demand dates.
When are b'nai mitzvah held at JRC?
Typically, b’nai mitzvah dates are scheduled as close to the child’s thirteenth birthday as class size, distribution of birthdays, Jewish holidays, and the JRC schedule permit. Please note that they are not scheduled on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons, Mondays, Thursdays, or during the months of July and August.
My child has special needs or learning issues - can he/she have a b'nai mitzvah?
For students with special needs, the family should schedule a meeting with the clergy at least two-three years prior to the b'nai mitzvah year. In these cases, competency assessment will be sensitive to each child’s needs.
When will we receive our child's date?
Our goal is to have the calendar set by the last day of Religious School (Sunday, May 19, 2013), but this is heavily dependent on the cooperation of every family.
What else do I need to know?
- JRC's Board of Directors has recently updated our policies regarding b'nai mitzvah - you can read them here.
- The people behind the "curtain" are Jill Persin, JRC's Assistant Director, and Joan Dumser, JRC member and volunteer B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator.
- If you have any questions regarding b'nai mitzvah at JRC, you can contact us at bnaimitzvah@jrc-evanston.org.
What's with all these terms that begin with a "b" and end with a mitzvah?
- Bar and bat mitzvah are the masculine and feminine singular terms
- B'nai mitzvah is gender neutral (well, really, it's masculine) and plural
- You don't need to capitalize any of the above, but no one will correct you if you do!
