The B’nei Mitzvah Service

  • B’nei mitzvah services at NSCI may take place from mid-August through mid-June on Monday, Thursday, Shabbat (Saturday), Rosh Chodesh, and Jewish holidays, subject to the dates available in a given year as noted on a given year’s B’nei Mitzvah Calendar.

  • B’nei mitzvah services at NSCI generally take place in the Large Sanctuary. 

  • Perlman Sanctuary is generally available for afternoon services, Saturdays at 4:30 pm, and on weekday mornings. If you would like to have your child’s service in Perlman Sanctuary, please contact Jennifer McKeag to check availability.

  • Services outside, on the Perlman Patio or the Lillian and Larry Goodman Terrace, may be available, weather dependent. There is an additional facility fee to have a service outside.

  • Please note that our clergy only officiate at b’nei mitzvah in our building or on congregational trips to Israel. If your service is not at NSCI, you can still participate in our b’nei mitzvah program. You will need to hire an officiant and navigate those details privately. NSCI is not able to loan out Torah scrolls.

  • B’nei mitzvah service in Israel. Some families may choose to have their b’nei mitzvah service in Israel or another location that is meaningful for your family. In most cases, the student still participates fully in the b’nei mitzvah program at NSCI (tutoring, workshops, meeting with the rabbi to write a d’var torah) and then they have the service at their desired location. If you are making these arrangements, be sure to connect with Jennifer McKeag with details at least nine months in advance. The Torah portion, other material, tutoring arrangement, and clergy assignment may be different depending on the details of your service.

  • Please note that at NSCI, b’nei mitzvah services are essentially a private event. Our Shabbat congregational service is held separately. The people in the sanctuary will be, by and large, just your guests.

Facility Rental

All of our facility rental arrangements go through Glenn Simon. He will help you determine the best room for your event, provide costs, and share lists of preferred vendors. Glenn will be your day-of resource, but not your day-of coordinator. Plan to arrange a day-of planner or point of contact with your vendors. Glenn will also have information for you about streaming options, chaperones, oneg sponsorship, and security.