The Rabbis’ Online Classes are a Great Option for:
- Students who want to learn with a group
- Students who want to study with Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein directly
- Students who don’t live in Boulder or prefer not to have to drive to class
- Local, Destination or Online Ceremonies – You pick the venue, Rabbi Alan will meet you there
- Bar and Bat Yisrael students who want a group experience
- Students with any level (even none or years and years) of Jewish background
Once a month, students from all over the country join the Rabbi for an online Online Bar Mitzvah/ Bar Yisrael Class. Students join 8 classes from the comfort of their home computers. Students can join the group at any time during the year. In addition, you will have 4-5 private sessions with the Rabbi.
The monthly classes alternate between activities, such as making matzah ball soup, and text-based discussions based on values. (See schedule below.)
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein’s class meets on the third Wednesday of the month (8 pm EST, 7 pm CST, 6 pm MST, 5 pm PST)
Concurrently, if you opt for the B’nai Mitzvah option, you will be studying weekly with our Educator to learn Hebrew prayers and how to chant from the Torah. You are welcome to arrange your own tutor or study with one of our in-house tutors. Hebrew students generally need 12 months of Hebrew. (B’nai Yisrael students will only need 2-3 Hebrew lessons.)
An Alternative Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program
FAQ:
What will we learn?
- During these lessons, you will learn about Jewish Values such as Taking Care of the Earth, Creating Peace at Home, Respecting Mother and Father, Remembering Shabbat, and Taking Care of Animals.
- We also include workshops during which we craft or meet in our kitchens and make our own challah and matzah ball soup.
- You will learn how ancient Jewish wisdom can make your teenage years less turbulent, as you develop the skills of compassion, courage, and confidence.
How Are Classes Structured?
- The class begins with each student sharing their progress on their two projects, Shabbat and Community Service/Tikkun Olam. Each month the students celebrate Shabbat in an innovative way and do community service.
- Next, we either start our project or discuss texts together. The Jewish wisdom enables us to ground our learning in Jewish tradition while expanding it through a modern lens of our insights interaction.
Is there Homework?
- There is Hebrew homework from your tutor, but the homework in this portion of your studies is mostly experimental. Each month you must do some type of service and a Shabbat project. You must log what you did so you don’t forget.
- Toward the end of your studies, you will synthesize what you learned into speeches to share with your community at your service.
Is there an Outdoor Component to the Class?
- Students and their families are invited, but not required, to join us for our Passover Seder in Moab. What a great opportunity to meet the other students in the class as well as other families in our program! They will experience the poignant link between the three pillars of Judaism, nature, and community. More about Passover in Moab>>
How Many Students are in the Class?
- We accept 8-15 students at a time
What is the Difference Between Bar Yisrael and Bar Mitzvah?
- The major difference is Hebrew education. Bar Yisrael students are not required to learn Hebrew and they do not chant from the Torah.
- Bar and Bat Yisrael students take on an independent learning project of their choice. The rabbi will meet with them separately to help them as needed, generally 2, 30-minute sessions.
What about the Ceremony?
- Opt to add a ceremony for $3,600. (Higher fee for locations outside of Boulder, CO.) You will have a ceremony in front of your family and friends on the date and at the venue of your choosing, in the destination of your dreams, or right in your backyard.
- You will have 4 private sessions with the Rabbi to write your speeches, plan your service and rehearse your service.
- Online ceremonies are also available and they can be extremely poignant
- Rabbi Alan will help you plan the service and then arrive with the Torah (for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah).
What are the Curriculum Topics?
Each student takes 8 of these classes. If you can’t make the class one month you can make it up the next month. You must complete 8 sessions before your ceremony and you have up to one year to do so. You can join the group at any point. We continually loop through these topics, which you can read below, or download here: Online_Schedule_2024 v3
We will discuss our role to solve intractable problems such as climate change, gun violence in schools, racial injustice, and homelessness. We will also explore the Jewish connection to Martin Luther King and the pursuit of justice.
Together we will examine the history and evolution of the Jewish rituals surrounding becoming an adult. We will learn how Adventure Rabbi lays out the ceremonies and discuss how to make the ceremony meaningful for everyone invited. This class requires parent attendance! Have your binder.
In Class Project: Hamantaschen
One thing Jewish Holidays, comedy and study all have in common is the importance of asking questions. Challenging authority (and ourselves) is more than a trope, it is essential. We will focus on why and how to ask questions, and its importance in this class, and as a life skill while learning the story of Purim and baking some Hamantaschen.
In Class Project: Matzaball Soup
Stories form the foundation of Jewish culture, values and holidays. Being able to tell stories is also a valuable life skill, in school, relationships and at work. Why are they so important, how can old stories impact us today? We will investigate this, with a focus on the story of Passover while we make some Matzaball Soup.
In Class Project: Cheesecake
What is the difference between tzedakah and charity? What role do we all have in giving and receiving such aid, and what is the best way? How do we effect large change in society? Our anchor will be the holiday of Shavuot and our fuel will be making cheesecake together.
Did you know that Superman, Spiderman, the Fantastic Four and many other DC and Marvel characters were created by Jewish comic book writers and illustrators. We will learn the history and implications of this influential art form, and what it can tell us about the Jewish immigration experience.
Jewish wisdom and tradition has a good deal to say about how important and intrinsically valuable we each are as individuals, and the roles we play as Messengers (Malachim) in each other’s lives.
In Class Project: Challah
Today we meet in the kitchen to make a Shabbat staple: Challah! As it bakes, we will study texts about the meaning and purpose of Shabbat and brainstorm ways we can practice Shabbat so that it is meaningful to us personally.
In Class Project: Apple Chocolate Chip Cake
As some families come together for Rosh Hashannah, we all feel the mix of joy and drama. To help, we will look at texts and stories and advice that can help us create peaceful homes, good relationships with our parents and explore the power of the Jewish New Year. We will also bake an apple chocolate chip cake together.
Judaism teaches that we all have responsibility for the natural world. We will look at origins, implications and our role in caring for the Earth and its connection to the Jewish behavior, and test our knowledge about the natural world with an in class Kahoot.
Being present in every moment is an important, and very challenging goal. Breathing, prayer and blessings can help us focus and appreciate the little moments and big events in our lives.
What is Covered in the Private Lessons?
- Introduction to and explanation of the class
- Two speech-writing sessions (if you opt for a ceremony)
- Ceremony planning session (if you opt for a ceremony)
- Rehearsal (if you opt for a ceremony)
- For B’nai Yisrael students, 2, 30-minute sessions to help with their Independent Learning Project. These lessons may also be used to evaluate the student’s Hebrew preparedness. Hebrew lessons may be added. Visit here for Hebrew lesson current pricing>>
What is the difference between tzedakah and charity?
Why are Jewish people some of the largest donors in the US? Should
only rich people participate in tzedakah?
Today we meet in the kitchen to make challah! As the dough rises, we study text about the meaning and purpose of Shabbat and brainstorm ways we can practice Shabbat so that it is meaningful to us personally.
This week we study texts about Judaism and nature and learn about our responsibility to take care of the Earth.
Judaism has a strong ethic about the kind treatment of animals. Did you know we are supposed to feed our pets before ourselves? Or that cattle are supposed to be allowed Shabbat rest?
The Purim story is one in which Jewish Ester made the impossible possible. As we bake, we discuss our role and power to solve intractable problems such as climate change, gun violence in schools, racial injustice, and homelessness to name just a few, and the importance of the Jewish value of “Pursuing Justice.
What else is Jewish beside Temple and Torah? Today we meet in our kitchens to make matzah ball soup and discuss elements of Judaism such as humor, cooking, and attitudes about life.
Honoring our parents is so important in Judaism that it made the top ten list of the Ten Commandments. But what does it really mean and what are we supposed to do?
While we make challah covers, we study texts that highlight our responsibility for creating, and power to create, a peaceful home
An article from the Boulder Jewish News
“You Shall Teach Them Digitally to Your Children.” – (Deut. 6:7 Adapted
“We have to change our lifestyle,” said the busy San Francisco mom on a phone call to Adventure Rabbi Jamie Korngold. “Between soccer, swimming, theater, and Hebrew lessons, we are in the car a zillion hours a day. I can’t even remember the last time we sat down for dinner together. I heard you help families like mine. Help!”
This is a typical call to “Adventure Judaism Headquarters,” as their small office in South Boulder is fondly called by its staff of three rabbis and three educators.
People turn to online learning for many different reasons including saving time, ease of scheduling, and access to skilled teachers. With 19 years of experience teaching Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah students online, the Adventure Judaism teachers are the experts.
“When we pioneered online education in 2001, we had a student in Bangkok – Max Wolfe- with a teacher in LA, – Bradley Cohen – and the connection on Skype was so sketchy that Brad couldn’t always tell if Max was pronouncing the “s” Hebrew letters correctly.” Korngold also reminisces about a student in Colorado Springs with whom she lost the connection every time it rained.
The technology that enables online education has come a long way since 2001. Today the team at Adventure Judaism uses GoToMeeting, Facetime, and Skype to prepare Bar and Bat Mitzvah students all over the world, without technological incident.
“My kids are so used to screens,” says Miriam from Atlanta GA “that they ease into their lessons and connect easily with the teacher. My kids actually look forward to their Hebrew lessons with Amber!”
And indeed, the students do appear to be loving their Bar Mitzvah lessons. “What surprised me the most,” says Rhonda from Boulder CO, “was the laughter. I peek in during lessons and they go like this – Hebrew, laughter, Hebrew, laughter. Who knew religious school could be this much fun?”
Beach Bar Mitzvah follows months of online Hebrew lessons
Adventure Judaism also offers online ceremonies. But usually, one of the rabbis packs up his or her guitar, the Torah, and prayer books and meets the family wherever the family chooses. This summer found Rabbi Korngold in France, Carmel-by-the-Sea CA and Boulder CO; Rabbi Goldsmith in British Columbia, Canada; and Rabbi Yakar in Winter Park CO and Lake Tahoe CA Clearly, wherever your (or your child’s) dream Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah ceremony is, these adventurous rabbis will meet you there.
Resources & Information
General Information
$3,600
– We accept credit cards and have a monthly payment plan using ACH or credit cards
-Add Hebrew lessons and/ or a ceremony for an additional fee
– $500 discount if parent and child are traditional members of our synagogue
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 – $3,600 (price increase for locations outside of Boulder, CO)
What Families are Saying About this Program
About Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein recently moved to Longmont, and is excited by the hiking, biking and mountain air. He is a teacher who strives to make learning accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds and an officiant who works to build meaningful, authentic ceremonies. He has worked with students his entire rabbinic career, teaching through stories, field trips and creative activities.
He lived most recently in St Paul, MN, where he was 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 a member of the Interfaith Family Network.
For two years, he was rabbi of the Tri-City Jewish Center, in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. He was then the rabbi at Temple of Aaron, St. Paul, MN from 2002 to 2014.
In addition to teaching several classes with Adventure Judaism, and preparing student for both Bar/Bat Mitzvah and B’nai Yisrael; Rabbi Alan currently works managing the Genius team at the Apple Store in the Twenty Ninth Street mall, repairing relationships, iPhones and computers.
He and his wife Rebecca are blessed with three children, Noa, Naveh and Naomi.
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 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 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, 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 included 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. More>>
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 monthly community service (Tikkun Olam) work of your choosing.
Community Service Project
How many hours of work should I plan on?
You should plan on at least 10-hours of service, but the idea is to do something every month. Some months will take longer, and some may be shorter. We are attempting to build a habit. In the end, you will 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?
Anything you like that makes the world a better place!
Examples of Past Projects:
- Trail work (Durango, CO)
- Graffiti Removal (New York City)
- Building Homes (New Orleans, LA)
- Organizing a Neighborhood Park Clean-up (Denver, CO)
- Helping Prepare Meals for Koko the Signing Gorilla (California)
- Collecting and Cleaning Soccer Cleats for Distribution on Africa (Baltimore, MD)
- Random Acts of Kindness (Leadville, CO)
Shabbat Projects
How does it work?
Every month for 4 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. For your second 4 months, you will pick one practice and stick with it. Our goal is to establish a sustainable and meaningful practice.
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. Click Here>>
- The guests’ booklet format version of the service (same content, different format) Click Here>>
- A diagram of how to set up the service venue Click Here>>
- The honors you will be able to give out to guests Click Here>>
- A list of items you will need to bring to the service Find This All Here>>
How will we plan it?
A month or two before the ceremony you will have two meetings with the Rabbi Jamie 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 Judasim nature-based prayerbook.
A note from Rabbi Korngold, the Adventure Rabbi
My not so secret agenda is to introduce the 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.
What is the fee for an Individual Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Fees are based on the location of the ceremony. For example, a ceremony in Israel is more expensive than one in Boulder CO. For a list of our fee schedule, please click here >>
Who officiates at the ceremony?
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein generally officiates at the ceremonies.
How Do I Sign Up For An Individual Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Does it have to be outside?
As the Adventure Judaism, 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.