Countdown To The Bar/Bat Mitzvah

The following are the key steps towards the big day and their approximate timings.

Immediately:
Bring your child to services and stay to pray with them

About 18 months:
Meet the rabbi and talk about the date you want, and the way to prepare for the bar/bat mitzvah ceremony.

When the date is set:
Approach a teacher to help your child. You may also wish to find someone to help you to teach your child.

Festival dates:
You may need to inform your school about dates when your child will be absent

Erev Rosh Hashanah; Rosh Hashanah; Kol Nidrei; Yom Kippur; Erev Succot; Succot; Erev Simchat Torah; Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret; Erev Pesach; Pesach 1st Day; Erev 7th Day Pesach; 7th Day Pesach; Erev Shavuot; Shavuot

Two months before:
Your child should be using the tikkun to practise his/her portion

One month before:
Check with the office about the arrangements for kiddush

One month before:
The d’rasha should be ready to put together.

Fortnight before:
Check with the office that they have the correct portion and Haftarah for the announcement sheets.

Fortnight before:
Arrange with the warden the mitzvot you want, and the Hebrew names where relevant.