Individual tutoring gives each student dedicated time to prepare for the Hebrew, prayer, and Torah learning they will lead as they become B’Mitzvah.
Students are paired with a Shir Tikvah tutor who accompanies them through approximately a year of regular study and practice.

How Tutoring Works

About 12–13 months before the B’Mitzvah service, the family meets with Rabbi Joey to talk about the student as a learner, the family’s hopes for the year, and any support needs. The student is then paired with a B’Mitzvah tutor.

Students meet individually with their tutor for 30 minutes each week. Tutoring continues for about a year, including through the summer, as students prepare Hebrew, prayer, and Torah material for their B’Mitzvah. Tutoring is generally held in person at Shir Tikvah, with designated virtual dates during the year.

TUTORING SCHEDULE & CALENDAR

Find your student’s current tutoring schedule below. For important tutoring dates and upcoming B’Mitzvah celebrations throughout the year, you can also view or subscribe to the B’Mitzvah Tutoring & Celebrations Calendar. Use the current tutoring schedule to find your student’s weekly appointment. For virtual and no-tutoring dates and upcoming B’Mitzvah celebrations, view or subscribe to the B’Mitzvah Tutoring & Celebrations Calendar.

View Current Tutoring Schedule

View B'Mitzvah Calendar

Subscribe to Calendar

During the JAMI Year

During the JAMI year, Maryn schedules students with their tutor during the JAMI session in which the student participates. Once a student begins meeting with their lead rabbi, that meeting is also scheduled within the student’s JAMI session.

These schedules are designed to remain fairly consistent throughout the JAMI year, so families are not asked to submit weekly availability. Please contact Maryn if there is anything they should know when scheduling your student generally or if there is a conflict or other consideration for a particular date.

During the Summer

B’Mitzvah tutoring continues weekly through the summer months, but scheduling becomes more flexible while JAMI is not in session. Maryn will ask families and tutors to share their summer availability and will build the tutoring schedule around that information. Please include any known travel, camps, and other conflicts when submitting your availability, and let Maryn know if your plans change after the schedule has been set.

Virtual & No-Tutoring Dates

A few Wednesdays during the year work differently from our regular tutoring schedule. On these dates, tutoring may take place virtually or may not meet.

Virtual Tutoring

November 25, 2026
December 23, 2026
December 30, 2026
January 20, 2027
February 17, 2027
April 7, 2027
July 7, 2027

Working with Your Lead Rabbi

About four months before the B’Mitzvah service, the family meets with their lead rabbi to begin talking about the service and the student’s work with the rabbi.

At this point, the student also begins a weekly 15-minute meeting with their lead rabbi, in addition to their regular tutoring session. These meetings focus on exploring the student’s Torah portion, developing questions and ideas, and preparing their d’var Torah. During the JAMI year, Maryn schedules both the tutoring session and rabbi meeting within the student’s regular JAMI session.

No Tutoring

September 16, 2026 — High Holidays 5787
April 21, 2027 — Pesach
April 28, 2027 — Pesach
August 11, 2027 — Tisha B’Av
October 6, 2027 — High Holidays 5788

** View or print the 5787 virtual & no-tutoring dates.

Practice Between Sessions

Regular practice is an important part of B’Mitzvah preparation. Students should make time between tutoring sessions to work on the Hebrew, prayers, and Torah material they are learning with their tutor. Consistent, manageable practice throughout the year is much more useful than trying to catch up all at once.

Learning, Access, & Support

Every student approaches Hebrew, prayer, Torah, and public leadership differently. Please tell us early what will help your student thrive. We welcome conversations about learning and accessibility needs, anxiety, scheduling concerns, or anything else that would help make the tutoring process supportive and sustainable.

We would much rather know what a student needs and work together than have a student struggle quietly.

Questions About Tutoring?

Rabbi Joey Glick — Education and Learning
Questions about Hebrew readiness, learning needs, tutor placement, or the educational arc of B’Mitzvah preparation.
Maryn Hakes — Scheduling and Logistics
Questions about tutoring schedules, summer availability, virtual tutoring dates, schedule conflicts, or other B’Mitzvah logistics.
Your Lead Rabbi — Torah and Service Preparation
Once assigned, your lead rabbi works with your student on Torah questions, the d’var Torah, and preparation for the B’Mitzvah service.