Bar/Bat Mitzvah
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony at which Iris Jacobs officiates, assisted by Dr. Marty Abrams, is a moving and deeply spiritual experience. Iris will take your children, no matter how much previous preparation they have had, no matter what their background or their learning capabilities, and help them become confident and well-prepared performers. This is generally accomplished with just a one-half hour lesson per week in Iris’s study in Sharon, MA.

For people living at a distance, or in case of inclement weather, Iris is happy to teach by phone. CDs of the Torah and Haftarah portions and required blessings and prayers are personally made by Iris and provided to the student for at-home study. In addition, written copies of all the recorded material are provided in Hebrew, transliteration and translation. On average, preparation time is one school year. This may vary with the previous Hebrew background and preparedness of the child.

Approximately two to three months before the ceremony, Iris begins working with the parent or parents to choose readings for the individual prayer booklets that will personalize the service for the family. These readings not only make each service unique, but also allow for more participation by friends and relatives than would be found in a traditional temple service.

Ceremonies may take place in chapels, hotel facilities and other function rooms, homes, backyards and tents. Iris brings to each service her own full-size Torah and Holy Ark and all the necessary religious accoutrements that will create a chapel-like atmosphere.

The service itself can be tailor-made to fit your family’s preferences and religious ideologies. Your child’s talents are always showcased in their best light.

Woven into the service are the beautiful voices of the Kol Miriam Choir, a female ensemble enhancing and heightening the spirituality of this special day with ancient and modern music and, often, songs chosen by the parents or the child. A video of the service capturing all the nuances and drama is provided to the family to enable you to relive each precious moment for years to come.

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Testimonials

Dear Iris,
Thank you so much for making Nick’s Bar Mitzvah so memorable. Our guests found the service beautiful and very moving. Our family will always remember how personal and meaningful your ceremony was. Thank you also for your patience and sense of humor. You performed a miracle!
Appreciatively,
The Calo Family

Dear Iris,
We’re still enjoying the afterglow of the Bar Mitzvah—greatly enhanced by the video. The beautiful ceremony aptly reflected the persons who conducted it. We will always be grateful for the warmth, understanding, and integrity with which you helped us prepare for the event. May countless boys enjoy Gabe’s good fortune with a Jacobs Bar Mitzvah.
Affectionately,
Andy and Jane

Dear Iris,
Believe it or not, I actually liked coming those Thursdays and studying with you. Iris, even though your jokes weren’t always funny, it was still fun to hear them. The service was even better than I expected it would be. I loved all the songs that the Kol Miriam Choir sang. They were great! Everyone loved you and they had many nice comments to say. I will never forget that very special day. I will always cherish the Kiddush Cup that you so generously gave me. Thanks again for making my day special.
Love,
Zack
P.S. We love the video!

Iris,
Thank you again for all that you have done to bring and ensconce Judaism and a greater spirituality into our family. I can’t tell you the number of our Jewish friends who said that if their rabbi had been more like Iris, they would still be going to Temple today. You have shown us and so many people what spirituality… is supposed to look like. Thank you for that, and how you’ve touched us.
Love,
The Shapiros

Dear Iris,
When you first began tutoring my son, Stephen, to prepare him for his Bar Mitzvah, I never dreamed that in less than a year, he and I would both be standing on the bimah before a hundred friends and family members sharing our combined B’nai Mitzvah. Our tutoring sessions were fun and memorable, but they couldn’t prepare us for the emotion and joy we felt at our service.
The Kol Miriam Choir enraptured our guests with their glorious music, and the readings, many of which Stephen and I selected, were personal and meaningful to us and all of the participants. Also, for those non-Jews in the congregation, you created a service that they could understand and appreciate. We would not change one word, one musical note, one moment of that wonderful day.
With love and gratitude,
Sheryl Rosenberg