Introduction
Reaching the age of mitzvot, more commonly known as becoming a Bat Mitzvah, is an important juncture in a girl’s life. We envision this event not only as a celebration, but primarily as the commencement of a growth process, which will leave the Bat Mitzva more ready to face her responsibilities as a young Jewish woman.

We make an effort to tailor our program to the specific needs and wishes of each family participating. The program has various options. While consulting our education and event advisors and mentors, we encourage the Bat mitzvah girl and her family to construct a program together, based on their own personal tastes and goals. The main components of our program are:

• Learning
• Arevut Hadadit
• Bat Mitzvah Album/Scrap Book
• Additional Activities
• Celebration at the Kever Rachel Campus

 Learning
Learning is vital to growth, and the program consists of three main tracks: 1. On going study of topics connected with Rachel and Kever Rachel or other Jewish women role models, 2. Learning towards a siyum, (completing a Jewish learning text). 3. Optional course of philosophical and halachic issues related to becoming Bat Mitzvah.

The time spent learning for the Bat-Mitzvah is a time of bonding with the parents. For that reason, we suggest that both parents study (separate topics) with the bat mitzvah girl. Most of the mothers on our program have looked forward to studying women related issues with their daughters. Mother and daughter decide on the time framework they wish to dedicate to their joint learning. This proposal assumes approximately 15 structured learning slots of about 30-45 minutes each, (which can be split by you into shorter time segments). Mother and daughter study is based on age and background appropriate worksheets which they receive on a regular basis. The worksheets focus on Rachel Imeinu, her Kever, and its significance to the Jewish people through the ages. Alternatively, one can choose to go less in depth into Rachel Imeinu’s life, and focus also on other Jewish women, such as, Devora, Bruria, Donna Gracia Mendes Nasi, Nechama Leibowitz.

Conducting a siyum of a sefer studied with a parent at the Seuda is a very meaningful and special experience. (For example, short Megilot, such as Ruth, or the six Chapters of Pirkei Avot, can be learned with aid of a source book in just a few Shabbat afternoon sessions.) This is an excellent study/bonding opportunity for the parent with less time on their hands.

Keep in mind that additional time needs to be allotted for preparing and rehearsing a drasha and or a siyum.

 Arevut Hadadit
Kol Yisrael Arevim ze La’ze- Israel is one live organism, and each person within Am Yisrael is responsible for the health and well being of the organism as a whole. For that reason we encourage the Bat mitzvah girl and her family to participate, as part of the Bat Mitzvah program, in some chessed activity while in Israel such as helping out in a soup kitchen, serving free tea and cake to soldiers on duty, or visiting disabled children. (Optional: prior to the visit to Israel, the bat mitzvah girl can decide what chessed activity interests her, and help raise money or collect gifts to bring with her when she comes).

 Bat Mitzvah Album/Scrap Book
Since the underlying philosophy of the Bat Mitzvah Program is the centrality of the growth process, each Bat Mitzvah girl receives a special album to record her learning and preparations for the Bat mitzvah ceremony at Kever Rachel. This remains a beautiful memento of her meaningful experience to be enthusiastically and nostalgically reviewed by the family for years. Each hand crafted album is custom made to reflect the specific choices that the family made about the content and structure of their Bat Mitzvah. A typical album will include sections recording the joint learning with the mother and/ or father, activities from the worksheets, the Arevut ha’dadit volunteering, the ceremony (including a sign -in section for the guests), pictures from the tour of Kever Rachel and other memorabilia connected to the trip and event.

 Additional Activities
In order to enhance the Bat Mitzvah Experience, we offer the opportunity for creative activities: Challa Baking, Micrograph workshop, candlestick decorating, making a silk challa cover and more. In some cases the workshop or its products can be integrated into the ceremony. We also offer an optional tour of Hebron and Mearat HaMachpeila following the festive Seudah and ceremony at our campus at Kever Rachel. A tour of Yerushalayim and other places in Israel can be arranged too.

 Celebration at the Kever Rachel Campus

Rachel is the essence of Jewish motherhood. While Rachel belongs to the entire Jewish nation, there is a special place for women within her embrace. No other venue expresses Jewish womanhood, and our desire to return to the Land of Israel more nobly than Kever Rachel. What better person or place for our Bat Mitzvah daughters to identify with as they reach the age of Mitzvot? We offer you the opportunity to celebrate your Bat Mitzvah with a festive meal, music and Divrei Tora at our Kever Rachel campus.