SECULAR B'NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM

There's more than one way to be Jewish!

Testimonials

"Through my Bat Mitzvah, I was able to explore my identity with other amazing people who were going through the very same profound experience. I formed a real Jewish identity and I found a true community. The bond of experiencing something as significant as the B'nai Mitzvah ceremony with my friends is something I will always cherish."
Emily Chudnovsky, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program graduate

"Being at the Shule meant thinking about being Jewish and caring about social justice. I'm proud of these things, and I'll be carrying them with me.”
Daniel McCormick, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program graduate

"Prior to my daughter joining the Winchevsky Centre B'nai Mitzvah Program, she had very limited exposure to her Jewish roots. Through the program, she was able to connect to her roots through classes, research and the arts. The teachers and her classmates made this experience so rich for her, and she looked forward to her classes every week. Not only did this program make my daughter proud of her Jewish side, it also helped her see how Jews have been, and will be, contributing members to society as a whole. The staff at the Winchevsky Centre made the children feel like they were leaders to the younger children. They were active participants in the many holiday celebrations and felt valued as members of the Centre. The B'nai Mitzvah ceremony was beautiful. The children were so well prepared and the event was perfect. Friends and family commented that they had never been to such a beautiful and meaningful Bar or Bat Mitzvah before. While the children had worked extremely hard together to make this a day everyone would be proud if. Friendships were made that will last a lifetime."
Sharon Muzyk, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program parent

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"The B’nai Mitzvah Program at the Winchevsky School was everything we had hoped for and much more! The B'nai Mitzvah itself was shining moment in time for our whole family to cherish. It was the perfect culmination of the positive experience our child had enjoyed at the Winchevsky School throughout the year. Our daughter looked forward to her weekly classes so much, and she formed lasting friendships with her fellow students. She loved her teachers who were knowledgeable, warm, and kind. The class discussions stimulated her mind and she felt free to express and develop her own opinions. Her active participation in the school's celebrations and ceremonies throughout the year helped her forge a strong connection to her Jewish roots. Along with this, she became more aware of people of all backgrounds and she strengthened her humanistic view on life. The Winchevsky staff prepared the children so thoroughly for their ceremony that it ran without a single flaw. Our friends and relatives were deeply impressed by all the children had learned for their B'nai Mitzvah. All of the parents were extremely proud of their children. Each child had gained so much and really appreciated their special moment. The research and work each child did on his or her speech amazed all of our guests who commented on how touching and meaningful the ceremony was. This kind of opportunity and acknowledgement is so wonderful for children. The Winchevsky School honours each child and provides them with the chance to shine in this unforgettable ceremony of their rites of passage. My husband and I are so overjoyed that we are able to give this once-in-a-lifetime experience to our child. As a family, we know that the Winchevsky Centre will continue to be a part of our lives."
Cheryl Edwards, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program parent

"We never thought our daughter would have a Bat Mitzvah because she is in a mixed family and because even the Jewish side is not religious at all. Despite this, she asked for a number of years to have a Bat Mitzvah, to have an opportunity to connect to her Jewish roots without having to pretend to be religious or to promise to follow Jewish law. Morris Winchevsky School met these needs and then some. We found our haven for 'misfit Jews.' As a family we learned so much about our Jewish heritage and history. We made lasting friendships and great hamentashen. The Shule gave our daughter exactly what she was looking for: a way to take her place as a responsible citizen of the world, as a Jew, and as a person of conscience. The focus on traditions, history, culture, languages, social action, and responsibility, made the Shule the perfect place for us. Our daughter's Bat Mitzvah was everything it was meant to be. Her intellect, humour, generous heart, and social conscience, were showcased but within an ensemble of equally wonderful peers. That this simcha was shared with her classmates made it even more special. We feel very blessed that we found Morris Winchevsky Shule."
Joni Cass, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program parent

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"The Secular B'nai Mitzvah celebration was a joyous and moving occasion for us and for our guests. Our son, Raymond, researched his own Jewish-themed topic under the guidance of the educated and caring staff at the Winchevsky Centre. ...The feedback we received was amazing; everyone was so proud. ...There was a strong feeling of connection both to our Jewish roots and to all people on this earth with which we share a common journey. Raymond was captivated by the vision of his Bar Mitzvah ceremony from the beginning and looked forward to each and every class. He was glad to have bright, friendly, and accomplished classmates to share in his B'nai Mitzvah ceremony. We were guided along the way by the experienced staff at Winchevsky. This was also a growth process for us as we worked together with the B'nai Mitzvah families, who we appreciate for their many talents, to create a common vision. The B'nai Mitzvah ceremony was a wonderful occasion which will be a treasured memory always."
Odette and Chris Mendelovits, Secular B'nai Mitzvah Program parents

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