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!
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:
Students 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
To be doing such a large piece of my life with Tawonga is like a dream come true.
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.
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.
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 2025 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 2026 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration begin?
Registration for the 2025-26 cohort begins in November 2024:
- Nov 12 – Priority Registration
Who’s Eligible: Anyone who attended 2024 Summer Camp, Teen Programs, Quest, or B*Mitzvah Program participants (plus siblings), or Jewish Families of Color Weekend registered families - Nov 18 – Early Registration
Who’s Eligible: Anyone who was enrolled in a 2024 Family Camp, Weekend Program participant, Tawonga Family School, 2024 Waitlisted & Canceled families (please note that registrations for all 2025 Weekend Programs will be processed following November 18 (for both Priority and Early Registration families) - December 4 – Open Registration
Open to the entire community
During the registration process you will be prompted to make a $250 non-refundable deposit. Once you submit your registration request, our registrar will send you a confirmation email within two business days letting you know your registration status.
Please contact Griz, our Assistant Director of Bay Area Programs at 415.543.2267 or at griz@tawonga.org if you need any assistance.
Does my child need to know how to read Hebrew to participate?
No! Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah program is designed to fit your child’s unique service and we realize this will look different for each and every family.
During our kitot (classes), all participating youth will learn the melodies of prayers using Hebrew to English transliteration and spend time understanding these prayers through creative learning processes. We will also provide the Hebrew to English transliteration of Torah and Haftorah portions, as well as the English translation. Tawonga also offers online Hebrew classes. More information will be available in the spring for new classes.
How often will the kitot (classes) meet?
Students will participate in seven classes, during the first year of the program. These classes, held on weekends, will be led by experienced and trained Tawonga staff, will incorporate interactive activities and will cover a thought-provoking curriculum.
In addition, during the first year, as safety allows, students and families will join a monthly, local, Shabbat dinner. We will also hold two shabbaton weekend retreats to kick off and wrap up the year.
What will an average class look like?
Each class will meet seven times during the first year. These dynamic programs, taught by premier and experienced Tawonga staff, will include engaging discussions about issues important and timely for teens, creative methods to understand prayers, team-building exercises, music, community guest-speakers and more! Participants will also have two weekend retreats and family engagement opportunities either in person or virtually.
How much does this program cost?
Cost of $3,950 for the 2025-2026 Year Includes:
- Seven kitot (classes) per year
- All experiential-learning curriculum. Year 1 focuses on Jewish blessings and values. Year 2 focuses on Torah interpretation and inheriting a tradition
- Retreats (two per year)
- Education and song leading from premier staff
- Seven parent learning sessions per year
- Monthly Family Shabbats
- Mitzvah Project (Year 2)
- Prayer coaching in transliteration
- D’rash (sermon) preparation (during Year 2 only)
- Mentorship opportunities
- Simcha coaching and support from Program Manager
- Planning and preparation for the B’nai Mitzvah Service
- Optional use of our Torah, Siddurim, Kippot, and Aron Kodesh (ark for the Torah).
- Student Journal (one for each year)
- “So You’re Having a Simcha” a guide to planning your child’s Bar, Bat or B’nai mitzvah
- Mitzvah Project Planner
- More info on cost here.
Additional Expenses:
- B*Mitzvah service & song leaders ($800-$2000 depending on location and leader)
- B*Mitzvah Hebrew tutoring
- B*Mitzvah service venue
Where will the kitot (classes) meet?
Our two kitot meet in their respective locations: either San Francisco or the East Bay.
In addition to our initial B’nai Mitzvah Kick-Off Orientation, students will participate in two retreats at the Walden West Outdoor School in Saratoga. Students and families will also have the opportunity to gather with a local cohort of families from their kita for monthly Shabbat dinners and Kabbalat Shabbat services, and we are exploring more opportunities for in-person gatherings with families and program participants during the year.
When will this program start?
We will welcome our next cohort of 6th graders in the Fall of 2025. This is a two-year program.
Questions
For additional questions about the program, please contact Jules Cohen, Bay Area Programs Manager, at jules@tawonga.org.
