The B-Mitzvah Experience
In this unique service program, a group of B-Mitzvah-age youth join with older adults in building an intergenerational community as they explore Jewish traditions and wisdom through fun activities and meaningful conversations.
Location: DOROT (Manhattan)
Age Group: Adults 65+ Tweens
About the B-Mitzvah Experience
The B-Mitzvah Experience is a seven-session service program bringing together a group of B-Mitzvah-aged youth and DOROT older adults for spirited discussions and fun activities centered on Jewish values and traditions.
In this unique volunteer program, younger and older participants share laughter, debate ideas, and create a caring and joyful intergenerational community. Together they experience the profound rewards of friendship across generations.
Young people build pride in their Jewish identity and feel inspired to be active members of the Jewish community.
It was meaningful to have deep conversations with my elders and to hear their opinions about important topics. I enjoyed seeing the other people every week, getting to know them, and doing creative activities together.
What It’s Like Week to Week
Each week of the B-Mitzvah Experience has a different focus. Here’s an idea of the kinds of activities that will take place over the course of seven sessions.
- Welcome and Warm Up: A youth-only orientation with games and ice-breakers that let young participants get to know each other and learn about the program.
- Game Day! The generations meet and have fun while chatting and playing games.
- Telling Our Stories—Jewish Identity Through Art: We share stories of our Jewish experiences and break into groups to explore Jewish identity through a collaborative art project.
- Cooking Up Jewish Culture: We share our heritage through food, then have fun making Jewish treats.
- Being Responsible—Ethics and Community: We ask what it means to be responsible to one another, to the Jewish community, and to the larger world. We discuss Jewish ideas around this issue and have a chance to present and debate our viewpoints.
- Tikkun Olam—Repairing the World One Action at a Time: We consider the Jewish concept of “repairing the world” and what becoming a B-Mitzvah means in terms of our ability to make a difference for others.
- Celebration and Light: Families are invited to join the group for a joyful closing event and Hanukkah celebration.
More Information and Fall Dates
Who It’s For: Youth from diverse Jewish backgrounds who will have a B-Mitzvah between January 2026 and June 2026.
Number of Participants: About 16 youth and 8 – 10 older adults.
Time Commitment: Sundays, 4:00 – 5:30 PM.
Dates for the Fall 2025 Program: October 19 and 26; November 2, 9, and 16; and December 7 and 14.
Registration: Now open for Fall 2025.
Questions? Contact us at teens@dorotusa.org
Other Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to the B-Mitzvah Experience, we have several other ways that young people preparing for their B-Mitzvah can volunteer with older adults. You can choose to:
- Deliver holiday or seasonal food packages to older adults and stay for a visit.
- Play chess with older adults at DOROT in Manhattan or Westchester.
- Create and donate birthday and holiday cards.
Interested? Please contact us at teens@dorotusa.org.
Thank you
DOROT’s B-Mitzvah Experience program is generously funded by UJA-Federation of New York.