How to Include Your Interests and Talents for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

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 (Jossey Bass Publishing).

 THE TALENT AND SKILLS INVENTORY 

 

B-Mitzvah
Student’s
Talent Inventory

  

Strong

  

Mild

  

Not very
developed
yet

 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!

 

          
           
           
           
           
           
Related Content: 
Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah: Setting Spiritual Goals
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