B*Mitzvah Program: A Bar, Bat & B’nai Mitzvah Journey
The Tawonga B*Mitzvah Program is a modern approach to an ancient tradition: immersive monthly camp-style classes, hands-on family learning, weekend shabbatons, creative simchas and critical thinking about the history and future of Jewish ritual.
Join our Bay Area 2025-2026 Cohorts
Registration for our fall 2025 cohorts in the East Bay and San Francisco of rising 6th graders is now open!
Programming begins in September of 2025 (New Family Orientation is September 7), and registrations will continue on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Questions? Please contact Jules Cohen, Bay Area Programs Manager, at jules@tawonga.org.
B*Mitzvah Program Overview
Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program launched in the Bay Area in 2016 as a two-year innovative approach to the B*Mitzvah experience, providing youth the opportunity to come of age in a Tawonga-style program. By incorporating nature, community building, social justice and experiential Jewish learning into our program, we ensure this important milestone is individualized and accessible for each and every child.
Camp Tawonga has served as a leader in Jewish camping for a near century with a proven track record in facilitating character development and positive self-growth in children and teens, and we are thrilled to apply this holistic approach to B*Mitzvah study for our community.
See the following links for more information:
Children Matriculating Through the Program Will:
- Engage in individualized and meaningful B*Mitzvah study
- Be prepared for a traditional Bar, Bat or B’nai Mitzvah, or a rite of passage of their and their family’s choosing
- Develop and connect to their Jewish identity
- Feel a part of the Tawonga family, and part of a Jewish community
- Explore nature and build self-esteem
- Experience thought-provoking discussions about topics relating to teens
- Give back to their communities and feel motivated to explore opportunities for service
- Be inspired to continue exploring Jewish values in their daily lives
Now with our oldest soon to be 13, we were really happy to find the Tawonga program. It’s a way to introduce him to some of the spiritual elements of Judaism and to create a framework for thinking about his own spirituality and passage to adulthood.
Who Does This Program Serve?
This two-year program begins for students entering 6th grade* and culminates in a unique and personalized B*Mitzvah service. Anyone is welcome to register for the program, and you don’t have to have prior Tawonga experience to join. Families will also have the chance to participate in community events and learning opportunities either in-person or virtually as safety allows.
*This program is geared towards 6th graders, so that by the time participants have completed this two-year program, the majority of them have turned 13. This said, we do occasionally admit students who are in 5th or 7th grade. Please email Jules Cohen, Bay Area Programs Manager, at jules@tawonga.org if you have any questions about the grade guidelines.
We feel very grateful for Tawonga’s non-traditional approach to the b’nai mitzvah experience for our son, which is giving him an opportunity to develop a Jewish identity and to connect with other Jewish kids.
Program Evolution
The Tawonga B*Mitzvah Program enrolled 50 participants in its first year. This year, we launched our 9th cohort and serve more than 130 students annually. 70% of our B*Mitzvah families are not affiliated with a synagogue, and 40% identify as interfaith. We are excited to see our reach extending beyond an affiliation with summer camp and our programming paving multiple paths to Tawonga’s brand of joyous Judaism.
To be doing such a large piece of my life with Tawonga is like a dream come true.
Tawonga Hebrew Classes
Tawonga Hebrew classes are a great supplement to Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program! Classes are designed for 6th and 7th graders who want to learn the Aleph Bet (Hebrew alphabet) and how to read Hebrew words while creating friendships and building community through Tawonga.
Tawonga offers Hebrew 1 in the Fall and Hebrew 2 in the Spring. For children who are signing up for our B*Mitzvah Program in the Fall, you can also sign up for Hebrew 1 if you want your child to learn Hebrew. This is optional and not required for the Tawonga B*Mitzvah program.
Upcoming Hebrew Class Offerings:
Hebrew 1
When: Fall 2024 on Wednesdays at either 4pm or 5:15pm, October through December
Who: Current 6th and 7th graders
Where: Zoom
Cost: $337.50
Hebrew 2
When: Winter 2025 on Wednesdays at either 4pm or 5:15pm, January through March
Who: Current 6th and 7th graders
Where: Zoom
Cost: $337.50
Questions? Please contact Jules Cohen, Bay Area Programs Manager, at jules@tawonga.org.
Questions
For additional questions about the program, please contact David “Griz” Griswold, Assistant Director of Bay Area Programs, at griz@tawonga.org, or 415.852.4224.
