B’nai mitzvah without a rabbi, Hebrew school, or synagogue. Who thought it would be possible? Darshan Yeshiva!
Darshan Yeshiva’s B’nai Mitzvah Program is designed for learners of all ages just like you who don’t have access to a synagogue, or don’t want the commitment of a synagogue, or have time for years-long Hebrew tutoring. We are honored to take the stress out of your ceremony by giving you the ability to pick-and-choose the elements that are meaningful to you
What You’ll Discover
- All ages friendly learning! Our podcasts and written lessons for each element of the ceremony you choose
- All prayers and songs written in Hebrew, English, transliteration (phonetic spelling of Hebrew), and poetic interpretations. Choose what you want to learn and practice at your own pace
- Everything is gender and LGBTQ+ inclusive
- You’ll also receive free lifetime access to our learning portal including all our independent study programs, and ones we are creating in the future
- Once you have learned the prayers and have a sense of which ones you want to have in your ceremony, you can download-and-print service booklets for you and your ceremony guests
- Remember, our Help Desk is here to support you whenever you need it
- You’ll also be able to print a certificate of completion at the end of your program
Meet Your Instructors
Rabbi Patrick Beaulier
Author/Editor
Rabbi Patrick Beaulier developed this b'nai mitzvah program with the hope of providing people without access to a sefer torah (torah scroll) or rabbinical support with the opportunity to have a meaningful lifecycle experience. As the Executive Director and President of the Board for PunkTorah, the parent organization of Darshan Yeshiva and Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, Rabbi Patrick takes Jewish innovation seriously. He is also the co-spiritual leader of Kehillah, a pop-up Jewish community in Richmond, Va. Rabbi Patrick received his rabbinical ordination from Rabbinical Seminary International and his Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on business administration from the City University of Seattle. He's honored to work with Julie Soforenko on this noble task!
Julie Soforenko
Narrator
Julie Soforenko has been doing voice work off and on for over 20 years. Throughout that time she has participated in a number of speaking competitions and gone on to compete at the national level. She’s also done volunteer work recording texts for the nonprofit organization Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. Julie’s primary work for PunkTorah is as the Director of Digital Experience. She has a profound love of Judaism and Jewish learning.