Welcome to the Chabad of RARA online Bat Mitzvah program - titled "Discovering My Jewish Soul".
On this page, you can learn more about the course, and get answers to common questions.
Should you have any further inquiries after reading this page, please don't hesitate to contact us.
The Discovering My Jewish Soul course is a 10-week online course that will prepare your daughter to be able to mark her Bat Mitzva milestone in a meaningful and memorable way.
A "Bat Mitzva" is the term for the milestone of a girl turning 12 years old. This is an important birthday, and is when a Jewish girl transitions from being a child to being an adult.
The course is delivered by Mrs Sheina Sufrin. Sheina was born and raised in Melbourne, and has extensive experience with teaching children of all ages.
Sheina carries a valid WWCC, is relatable and is known to be able to connect with children and young adults of all characters.
The course takes place over ten weeks. Each week, girls will be taught one topic, which will include a hands on interactive activity that they will also complete.
- Week 1: Neshama - The Jewish soul
- Week 2: My Jewish Name - Its meaning and energy
- Week 3: Shabbos - All about the day of rest
- Week 4: Mitzvot of a Jewish women - The ones that are just for women
- Week 5: Mitzvot - Kosher & Tzedaka - Learn all about the most basics Jewish actions
- Week 6: Jewish Birthday - What is so special about the day you were born
- Week 7: Self Reflection - Getting to know yourself
- Week 8: Ahavas Yisrael - Loving and caring for everyone
- Week 9: Body Image - Your own internal beauty
- Week 10: Simcha - Gratitude - Being thankful for it all
The program is delivered via Zoom in a group setting of two to five girls at a time.
After registering for the course, Rabbi Menachem Aron will get in tough with you. You and your daughter will be introduced to Mrs Raskin, and given the opportunity to identify any specific goals you would like your daughter to achieve.
Before the course begins, a box filled with activities will be mailed to your child, containing everything that they will need to learn about living Jewish.
The program runs for 10 weeks on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm Melbourne time. Alternative times may be available on request.
To be eligible to join the program, children must be halachicly Jewish, and live in Australia.
The course is intended for girls from the age of 11 years up to and including 13 years old.
Pricing for the course is available on the registration page.
Chabad of RARA operates under the auspices of the Sydney Beth Din (SBD). During the registration process, you will be asked to visit the SBD's website to fill out a Jewish Status Form.
The form will ask you to upload evidence of your Jewish ancestry, which will then be processed by the SBD. This form is extensive, and the more information you are able to provide, the easier it will be to process your application.
SBD will then be directly in touch with you within 2 weeks to arrange an interview with a rabbi at the SBD, who will run through the documents provided, and clarify any questions or concerns.
When the SBD is satisfied that the applicant is indeed Jewish as per the guidelines set out in Halcha, a certificate confirming this will be issued.
This certificate is internationally recognized, and is able to be used to attain Israeli citizenship, or have a Jewish wedding, at any later stage in life.
This process needs to be done only once for you and your descendants, and the certificate issued can be used for life.
A subsidy is available to cover the SBD fees, details of which can be found of the course registration page.