The Hineni B'nei Mitzvah Experience is an optional program for those families and students who want a more intensive and individualized learning program leading up to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. Students and parents will meet as a cohort eight times during the year leading up to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Taught by our beloved clergy and staff, we have put together a meaningful curriculum for your family.

• You want a more intensive Jewish learning experience for your family
• Your child wants to explore his or her own Judaism and discover what makes their Jewish voice unique
• Your child wants to personalize his or her service -- with theatre, music, technology, prayer, art, kavanot (words of intention) and more
• You can commit to seven Hineni B’nei Mitzvah Experience Shabbat afternoon workshops over the course of a year
• At least one parent will attend all Hineni sessions with their Bar or Bat Mitzvah child

Given the intensive and demanding nature of this program, we have several prerequisites for participation in this program including:

• Attendance at Brawerman Elementary School or 80% attendance or better at Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s religious school
• A commitment to supporting and bettering our Wilshire Boulevard Temple community, exhibited by participation in some of the following: Friday night Shabbat services, youth choir, youth group (WBTY), our tikkun olam activities and more.

Hineni services can be held at the Glazer Campus or the Irmas Campus. Services can take place either on Shabbat morning (10:00 AM) or Shabbat afternoon (4:30 P.M.). Afternoon services are only available for Hineni families.

This program is a supplement to your child’s day school or religious school education, and Bar or Bat Mitzvah preparation. It does not take the place of regular attendance at Wilshire Boulevard Temple schools. All Hineni workshops will take place on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, at either the Glazer Campus or Irmas Campus.

There is no additional cost associated with the Hineni program.

The classes are taught by our officiating clergy -- Rabbi Leder, Rabbi Eshel, Rabbi Shapiro, Rabbi Nickerson, Cantor Gurney and Cantor Peicott.

During each Hineni workshop, we focus on a different element of the B’nei Mitzvah experience such as Torah, Haftarah, making prayer meaningful, music and theology.

Students and parents will meet as a cohort on the second Saturday of every month, from 3 PM - 5 PM (seven times total), in the year leading up to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. All seven sessions of the program are mandatory, and critical to your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah preparation. Of course, we understand that some absences cannot be avoided (out of town Bar or Bat Mitzvah, illness, etc.) and you may request an excused absence and to schedule a make-up class.

Please note that we will not give excused absences for extracurricular activities (soccer, dance, etc.). After two unexcused absences families will be welcome to continue participating in the Hineni sessions, but may no longer be eligible for a single service or a 4:30 PM service. Please know that this will likely necessitate a rescheduling of your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah date if they are scheduled for a 4:30 PM service. 

To learn more about this program, or about our B’nei Mitzvah programs in general, please contact Lisa Alpern at 424-208-8971 or lalpern@wbtla.org.