B'nai Mitzvah Headquarters

The B’nai Mitzvah celebration is a joyous religious event for our Beth Or families. It is not only a coming of age, but also celebrates the assuming of adult Jewish responsibility. We very much look forward to sharing in this simcha with you.

We continuously strive to ensure that this sacred journey is full of learning and meaning for our B’nai Mitzvah students. We also want the B’nai Mitzvah experience to be stress-free for our B’nai Mitzvah families and to follow a process that is as simple as possible. Click on the photos below to access information and resources that will help guide you.

Our B’nai Mitzvah Team  

Aaron Nielsenshultz - Our Director of Religious School & B'nai Mitzvah Training, Aaron, helps guide you and your child through his/her B'nai Mitzvah learning process and provides individual Torah/Haftarah training for your child.

                                                                                                                                                          Melanie Beifel - Melanie will reach out to you to schedule the first part of B'nai Mitzvah training - small group classes where students learn all of the prayers they will lead during their B'nai Mitzvah service. 

Rabbi Jason Bonder - Rabbi Bonder looks forward to studying with your child. Together, they will take an in depth look at your child’s Torah portion so he or she will be prepared to write a beautiful D’Var Torah Speech.     

Rabbi Melissa Lefkowitz - Rabbi Lefkowitz is your first stop on your child’s journey to their big day. In your first meeting, Rabbi Lefkowitz will give an overview of the process and discuss the meaning of B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies. In your second meeting, he will help your child prepare a Haftarah speech. Rabbi Lefkowitz also guides your child as they choose and complete a mitzvah project that interests them. 

Cantor Jaime Murley - The final step in B'nai Mitzvah preparation is a dress rehearsal with Cantor Murley, who goes through all of the final touches to make sure your student is fully confident to lead the service from the bimah and ready to shine the next day!

Barbara Murtha - Barbara will provide you with your login/password to use to schedule training sessions with Aaron Nielsenshultz.  She helps coordinate meetings with Rabbi Bonder and coordinates the ushers and assists with any scheduling issues related to ushering. Make sure to send your child's Mitzvah Project summary and photo to Barbara for inclusion in Spotlight, Beth Or's e-newsmagazine, too!

Ellen Wichterman - Ellen helps schedule meetings with Rabbi Lefkowitz. 

Sharon Carlin - Sharon schedules our B’nai Mitzvah dates! 

Phil Nordlinger - Do you want guidance on the B'nai Mitzvah process? Do you want to discuss finances? Phil Nordlinger, our Executive Director, is the person to call! Phil will answer all of your questions and provide the personalized support you are looking for.

Jillian Peskin - Need help with building logistics? Jillian will help you book your extended Kiddush, luncheon or dinner celebration and coordinate logistics the weekend of your B’nai Mitzvah, and also work with you to reserve a time for your pre-B'nai Mitzvah photo shoot!