B'nei Mitzvah
B'nei Mitzvah
A child becomes an adult in the Jewish community when they become a bar or bat Mitzvah. Our rabbis oversee the b'nei mitzvah program and work closely with the students, families, tutors and the ritual committee to ensure that each bar and bat mitzvah experience is meaningful and appropriate for the individual child.
Download the B'nei Mitzvah Handbook
The b'nei mitzvah handbook explains all the details of your bar or bat Mitzvah at Olam Tikvah. It covers everything from date assignments to honors. For more information, please contact Melissa Benson.
Some families like to create a program to handout on the day of the b'nei Mitzvah. You can find a sample program here. If you would like a word copy of the program, so you can fill in the information, please contact Melissa Benson.
Having an aliyah
5783 B'nei Mitzvah Projects
Emma G. | September 10
Emma is selling her homemade cards and donating the proceeds to Mobile Hope for a new program to create community fridges, or “freedges,” which help to provide free food to those in need. She also plans to help stock the “freedges.” You can buy her homemade cards in the Jewish Treasures Judaica Shop.
Eliana L. | October 22
Eliana is becoming certified in first aid and babysitting through the Red Cross. She will donate hours of her time as a mother’s helper to families with young children. She is also donating to L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital which is the Children’s hospital of INOVA Fairfax. Please donate at www.inovachildrens.org/donate.
Alexa K. | October 29
Alexa is supporting Food for Others to help alleviate food insecurity in Northern Virginia. Donate at foodforothers.salsalabs.org/AlexaKatzBatMitzvahFundraiser/index.html.
Benji R. | November 12
Benji collected sports equipment for Leveling the Playing Field, which redistributes equipment to expand access and equity within youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities.
Jonah and Micah V. | January 21
Jonah volunteered at a local chess club helping to teach young children. Micah mentored young chess players.
Ilana F. | February 18
Ilana volunteers at Olam Tikvah children’s services.
Zachary M. | March 11
Zachary collected gently used sporting goods for Leveling the Playing Field
Tyler A. | March 18
Tyler organized a fun karaoke night for all ages and requested donations for Fairfax County Meals on Wheels in honor of his great grandmother.
Aidan H. | April 1
Aidan collected donations for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
Zoe G. | April 22
Zoe donated 10 inches of her hair to Hair We Share and raised money to support the organization.
Aiden S-K. | May 20
Aiden wrote and handmade copies of a Mitzvah Journal that feature monthly topics, inspirational quotes, and a suggested activity or space to reflect.
Zachary G. | May 29
Zach volunteered with Food For Others and collecting food for Power Pack. Donate at tinyurl.com/zmgMitzvah.
Jeremy K. | June 3
Jeremy cleaned up the Cross County Trail.
Sydney S. | June 10
Sydney is serving as a transport volunteer with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue (Join Lucky Dog's Youth Program! | Lucky Dog Animal Rescue), where she will help to walk and care for dogs who are waiting to meet their fosters or adopters.
Sat, December 9 2023
26 Kislev 5784
Today's Calendar
Chanukah |
Shabbat Mevarchim |
Shoeboxes for SOME |
Donations for the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter |
Shabbat Service : 9:30am |
Childcare and Youth Services : 10:00am |
Havdalah : 5:37pm |
USY Chanukah Hangout : 7:00pm |
Tomorrow's Calendar
Chanukah |
Donations for the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter |
Shoeboxes for SOME |
Children's and Maternity Clothing Swap : 9:00am |
OTRS K-1 Chanukah : 11:00am |
Machar & Kadima Chanukah Pre-Party : 3:30pm |
Chanukah Celebration : 5:00pm |
Maariv : 8:00pm |
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 4:30pm |
Kabbalat Shabbat : 6:15pm |
Shabbat Day
Shoeboxes for SOME |
Donations for the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter |
Shabbat Service : 9:30am |
Shacharit 101: Navigating the Shabbat Morning Liturgy : 9:45am |
Childcare and Youth Services : 10:00am |
Havdalah : 5:38pm |
Happening at OT
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Friday ,
DecDecember 1 , 2023
Friday, Dec 1st (All day)
Help provide Christmas gifts to the homeless by packing a shoebox with necessities to donate to So Others Might Eat (SOME). -
Friday ,
DecDecember 1 , 2023
Friday, Dec 1st (All day)
Help us support the residents of the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter this winter by donating any of the following items: NEW stuffed animals; NEW socks for men, women and children (regular or warm and fuzzy); and/or $25 gift cards to grocery stores or Target/Walmart. Donations may be left in the main lobby. -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 9 , 2023
Motzei Shabbat, Dec 9th 7:00p to 9:00p
Chanukah dreidel tournament and more for grades 8-12! -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 10 , 2023
Sunday, Dec 10th 9:00a to 1:00p
Swap, don't shop! -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 10 , 2023
Sunday, Dec 10th 11:00a to 12:00p