You pick the venue, and one of the Adventure Rabbis will meet you there
How the program works:
You can hire us simply to perform your ceremony or take advantage of our meaningful, non-tradition Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah training.
I. First, you pick your study path to bring meaning to the experience. Choose from:
- The Online class (8 classes with a group, 1-hr each)
- The Mitzvah Class (9 in-person classes)
- The Adventure Class (15 in-person classes)
- Bespoke Classes (18 custom lessons)
II. Second, choose our Hebrew or non-Hebrew option
- For the Bar Mitzvah track, add your Hebrew lessons. You will need weekly meetings with a Hebrew tutor. You can find your own or use one of our great tutors online or in person.
- For our non-Hebrew Bar Yisrael track, you will do meaningful projects instead of Hebrew.
III. Third: Choose a destination for the ceremony, and the Rabbi will meet you there for a ceremony in front of your family and friends on the date and at the venue of your choosing, at the destination of your dreams.
Resources & Information
Learning Resources
- Videos and MP3 Files of Bar Mitzvah Prayers
- List of Required Bar Mitzvah Prayers
- Hebrew Version of Bar Mitzvah Prayers
- Torah Requirements
Ceremony Information
What Families are Saying About this Program
Our Staff
Rabbi Jamie Korngold
Rabbi Jamie Korngold, the Adventure Rabbi, founded the Adventure Rabbi Program and Adventure Judaism.
Rabbi Jamie relishes the work she does with 12 and 13-year-olds. “This is a time in their lives when we can have a lasting impact on the people they become,” she explains.
Rabbi Jamie also excels at making quick connections with your family and friends and will quickly build a community out of your Mitzvah guests.
Rabbi Jamie created the online class, now taught by Rabbi Shavit-Losntein, in which students who want to study with other students can be part of a community.
Rabbi Jamie has led ceremonies in Hawaii, Switzerland, Canada, Israel, New York City, Laguna Beach and everywhere in between! She has arrived at ceremonies on skis, horseback, on a hiking trail, and in a snowcat. Where will your adventure take us?
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein joins Rabbi Korngold as the lead Adventure Rabbi. He currently teaches three of our four B” Mitzvah programs, officiates at most of our life-cycle events, guides our conversion students, and teaches adults. In 2025, he will transition into the Senior Rabbi position.
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein is an avid hiker, adding more and more 14ers to his resume each year. He thrives on sharing his passions for Judaism and nature with his students.
Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein received Rabbinical Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminar in 2000. Before ordination, he studied at Machon Pardes in Jerusalem (1993-1994). His BA degree in History and Peace Studies (1989) from Washington University in St. Louis.
Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein makes learning accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds and works to build meaningful, authentic ceremonies.
Before moving to Longmont, he lived in St Paul, MN, where he was the founding director of By The Rivers: A Multi-Faith Learning and Lifecycle Center, was a staff member at Hineni: A Center for Adult Jewish Learning and Contemplative Practices, and was a member of the Interfaith Family Network.
He has also served normative congregations, including the Tri-City Jewish Center in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, and was the rabbi at Temple of Aaron, St. Paul, MN, from 2002 to 2014.
When he is not hiking or working with Adventure Judasim, he can be found at the Apple Store in the Twenty Ninth Street Mall, where he is the Lead Genius, repairing relationships, iPhones, and computers.
He and his wife Rebecca are blessed with three children, Noa, Naveh, and Naomi, and a granddaughter, Moira.
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith
Students look forward to their weekly session with Rabbi Lynne. More than one student has said, “I didn’t know a rabbi could be so fun!” Meanwhile, parents appreciate her organizational skills and the careful attention she gives each student and their family.
Rabbi Lynne is an ordained Reform Rabbi. She loves to work with Bar and Bat Mitzvah and Bar and Bat Yisrael students to help them find their own pathway into Judaism. Her favorite moments are when she can help a student “get” how this ancient tradition still applies to them today.
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith moved to Colorado from Alabama. She is thrilled to be in Colorado. Recently retired from ten years service as a pulpit rabbi, there were some aspects of the rabbinate she wanted to continue.
Rabbi Goldsmith served Temple Emanu-el in Dothan, AL, as a solo rabbi from her ordination at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati in June 2007 until her retirement in June of 2017. Lynne believes passionately in Jewish education for all ages. She was also active in the community, especially in inter-faith relations. She served on the boards of the local women’s shelter, the board of Catholic social services, and the Ecumenical Council, a multi-faith organization dedicated to erasing poverty in the Dothan area.
Rabbi Goldsmith is married to Rob Goldsmith, and they live in Broomfield, CO. She is looking forward to getting involved in the Boulder Jewish community and spending time with her granddaughter, son, and daughter-in-law, who also live in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parent Involvement
We recommend that you listen in whenever possible so that you will feel part of the process. But if it does not work well for the for parent or the student, do try to check in now and then. For online learning, we do ask that an adult be present in the house and checking in occasionally. We hope that after the meetings ends, your family will continue to explore the topics that have been raised, thus making this a family experience.
Hebrew
What Hebrew prayers will the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student learn?
We recommend that you listen in whenever possible so that you will feel part of the process. But if it does not work well for the for the parent or the student, do try to check in now and then. For online learning, we do ask that an adult be present in the house and checking in occasionally. We hope that after the meeting ends, your family will continue to explore the topics that have been raised, thus making this a family experience.
Our emphasis is on prayers we think every Jew should know for general Jewish living. Among other prayers such as Barchu, Shema and V’ahavtah, you will learn the full Friday night Kiddush, Kaddish (seldom taught to Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids but probably the most widely needed Jewish prayer). Students should be prepared for a serious year of Hebrew study and able to commit time to this aspect of the program. Most students meet with their tutor once a week for 12-18 months. View videos of the prayers here »
Required Prayers for all Students:
- Shehechiyanu
- Tallit Blessing
- Candle Blessing
- Full Friday Night Kiddush
- Hamotzi
- Barchu
- Shema
- V’ahavtah
- Preface to Amidah
- Avot
- G’vurot
- Kedusha
- Shema with Echad Eloheinu
- Blessings before and after Torah Reading
- Mourner’s Kaddish
- Ma-Nishtanah
How about Torah?
Most of our students chant or read 6 verses of Torah. You will be reading from our Backpacking Torah.
What are the Hebrew requirements to get into the program?
Many of our students have no Hebrew background while others have been attending Jewish Day School for years. Either way, because this is an individual program, we can make it work and we will create a program that is appropriately challenging.
How will the Bar or Bat Mitzvah student learn their Hebrew?
Each student works with a private Hebrew tutor. Fees for this are not including in the basic program fee. Most students meet with their tutor once a week for 18 months. Occasionally students require 2 times a week, and others only occasional meetings. We recommend working with our in-house educator either in person or over the internet because she will be able to ensure your student’s progress. See More Info >>
What does Community Service have to do with Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah means becoming a more responsible member of the Jewish community. One of the values of our Jewish community is that as Jews, we have a mandate to help make the world a better place. Therefore, as you take on your new role in our community you will demonstrate your concern and connection through a community service (tikkun olam) project.
Community Service Project
How many hours of work should I plan on?
You will complete 10 hours of work and then write a speech explaining what you did, why you chose it and what you got out of it.
What kinds of project do we do?
We prefer projects that allow Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to interact with other people, animals or nature and enable students to build relationships. We prefer that you stay always from fundraisers.
Examples of Past Projects:
- Trail work (Durango, CO)
- Graffiti Removal (New York City)
- Building Homes (New Orleans)
- Organizing a Neighborhood Park Clean-up (Denver, CO)
- Helping Prepare Meals for Koko the Signing Gorilla (California)
Shabbat Projects
A note from Rabbi Korngold, the Adventure Rabbi:
My not so secret agenda is to introduce the Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and their families to Shabbat as a meaningful part of life. Our lives are so frenetic! One of the greatest gifts Judaism has given us is the mandate to take a day off every week. I hope that when the kids are in college and are overwhelmed with life, they will look back at this year and think, “Oh Shabbat. Maybe that can help.” To that end, my goal is to introduce them to a Shabbat practice that fits into their lifestyle and can enhance their lives.
How does it work?
Twice a month for ten months you will pick some type of Shabbat observance to try out. You can try traditional activities like lighting candles, baking challah or going to synagogue. But you can also explore be non-traditional activities like going skiing with your family but not complaining, eating ice cream for breakfast, or making dinner for your family. You will journal what you did and how it worked for you.
The Ceremony
Where is the ceremony?
You are able to pick the venue that works for your family and friends. For some locations we know work well, see>>
The Rabbi will arrive at your ceremony with the Torah and prayerbooks.
To help you plan for the service we have great resources posted such as:
- The Bar or Bat Mitzvah student’s large print version of the service. See Checklist Here>>
- The guests’ booklet format version of the service (same content, different format) See Checklist Here >>
- A diagram of how to set up the service venue Check Diagram Here >>
- The honors you will be able to give out to guests Check Diagram & Supply Checklist Here >>
- A list of items you will need to bring to the service Find This All Here >>
Who officiates at the ceremony?
Rabbi Jamie Korngold or Rabbi Stacy Bergman generally officiate at the ceremonies. Rabbi Evon Yakar will officiate at ceremonies in Lake Tahoe.
How will we plan it?
A month or two before the ceremony you will have two meetings with the officiating rabbi to plan and rehearse the ceremony.
Do we get to personalize the ceremony?
Yes! We can include as many of your guests as you would like. You can even write your own prayerbook, although most families opt to use our Adventure Rabbi nature-based prayerbook.
What is the fee for an Individual Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Fees are based on which rabbi officiates at the ceremony, and the location of the ceremony. For example, a ceremony in Israel is more expensive than one in Lake Tahoe, California. For a list of our fee schedule, please click here >>
How Do I Sign Up For An Individual Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Does it have to be outside?
As the Adventure Rabbi Program, we love outdoor Bar or Bat Mitzvahs but we realize not every family can do that. You can pick a venue that works well for you and your guests. We have done it all – a beach in Hawaii, a hotel ballroom in Boulder, on horseback in Colorado a barn in Switzerland. The choice is yours.
View Outdoor Bar Mitzvah One Minute Video >>
View photos from a recent Skiing Bat Mitzvah at Copper Mountain >>
Can the Torah go outside?
Our backpacking Torah can be used outdoors, in any location, as accessible or adventurous as your family chooses. For Boulder Bar and Bat Mitzvah, we also have a parchment Torah that can be used outside as long as the weather is clear.
We have family members who can't hike, but we know a Bar or Bat Mitzvah that includes hiking with the Adventure Rabbi is an amazing and unique experience. Is there any way we can incorporate a little hiking?
We suggest adding a little hike before the service so that those who can participate get a bit of a taste of Adventure Judaism.