Bar and bat mitzvah is a time to let your talents shine. ALL of your talents and skills will likely be relevant to this phase of your life in some way. On the day of your ritual, the guests are coming to experience Shabbat, Torah, family and celebration are curious about who you are, and who you are becoming. They want to support your development.
This season of life includes a substantial period of being “in training,” which makes it a good time to do a self assessment - for the student and everyone one his/her bar/bat mitzvah team. The information gleaned will help with setting up goals and challenges for yourself so that you will know where to stretch toward your potential in some areas, while best utilizing your superior talents throughout your experience. Share this chart with tutor/mentors to help them know how to support YOU. A more comprehensive version of this chart can be found in our book, Make Your Own Bar/Bat Mitzvah: A Personal Approach to Creating a Meaningful Rite of Passage [2] (Jossey Bass Publishing).
THE TALENT AND SKILLS INVENTORY
|
B-Mitzvah |
Strong |
Mild |
Not very |
I need or want to grow in this topic area |
Idea for how to apply this talent to my B-Mitzvah. |
| Shopping | |||||
| Making and following a budget | |||||
| Vocal quality | |||||
| Noticing details | |||||
| Making people feel welcome | |||||
| Expressive dance or movement | |||||
| Discipline & Focus | |||||
| Writing music | |||||
|
Particular sport(s): _______________ |
X |
Example: | I play baseball. The metaphors from this sport could become part of my d’var Torah. I could talk about how being up at the Torah is “being in the zone” with God; and of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream as a home run. | ||
| Cooking | |||||
| Ability to learn languages | |||||
| Ability to teach an idea, concept, or skill to others. | |||||
| Organizing | |||||
| Handling conflict | |||||
| Expressing my feelings | |||||
| Comforting | |||||
| Visual Arts Painting, weaving, sculpture, drawing, photography, etc. | |||||
| Listening | |||||
|
Following current events |
|||||
| Marshall arts | |||||
| Staying on schedule | |||||
| Receiving feedback | |||||
| Playing instrument(s) | |||||
| Critiquing | |||||
| Public Speaking | |||||
| Learning through reading | |||||
| Web site making | |||||
| Sense of humor | |||||
| Love to be out in or study nature | |||||
|
Make extra lines, add your own categories!
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