Baruch HaShem has developed a course of study for adult members who desire to fulfill the mitzvah of making aliyah to the Torah for the first time. The program is a rotating three-year commitment of Hebrew and Judaic Study that began in the fall of 2005. The course provides a foundation of Hebrew and Judaic study culminating in a group aliyah to the Torah. The group will also lead sections of the liturgy in the Shabbat morning service. At the completion of the three-year commitment, students will acquire the skills necessary to chant from the Torah. The goal of this program is to equip new Torah readers to serve our congregation and to enhance the student’s Torah study skills.

Adult B’nei Mitzvah students are encouraged to continue to complete the requirements outlined in the Adult B’nei Mitzvah program. Students should register for the next level Hebrew language class.

Current Baruch HaShem adult members who are interested in making aliyah to the Torah for the first time may enroll in this three year program. To request an application please call the Baruch HaShem office (972.386.0121) and ask for Beth Cale or send an email to:

We also offer a B'nei Mitzvah program for children who are at least ten years old.

Students enrolled in the Adult B'nei Mitzvah Program
Please note that Hebrew School registration occurs at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.  You should try to complete at least one independent study course per year. Please contact Beth Cale if you have any questions.

The Adult B'nei Mitzvah program is a three-year course of study for adult members of Baruch HaShem who desire to fulfill the mitzvah of making aliyah to the Torah for the first time. The course provides a foundation of Hebrew and Judaic study culminating in a group aliyah to the Torah. The group will also lead sections of the liturgy in the Shabbat morning service. At the completion of the three year commitment, students will acquire the skills necessary to chant from the Torah. The goal of this program is to equip new Torah readers to serve our congregation and to enhance the student’s Torah study skills.

Year 1

Alef Bet *
Students with no previous Hebrew exposure will learn phonetic Hebrew reading, script writing, and a basic Hebrew vocabulary of 100 words.

Prayers & Blessings *
This is an introductory class to prepare the beginning Hebrew student to fully participate in the Baruch HaShem Shabbat service with Hebrew literacy and comprehension. Students will be given a brief review of the history, origin and significance of the prayers and blessings found in the Messianic Siddur along with elements of basic grammar.

Jewish History
This course is provided through Yeshivat Baruch HaShem. Rabbi Jamie Cowen covers the topics related to Jewish existence – from early Jewish history to Israel today and in the future. Students may acquire materials from the Baruch HaShem Judaica Shop and complete the course through independent study. A 5-7 page paper on a topic discussed on the tapes must be submitted at the completion of the course for credit.

Year 2

Biblical Hebrew 1 *
This class is a simple, straightforward course for students to learn grammar rules that will enable them to understand most biblical texts. The following topics are discussed:

The Sheva, Odd Vowels, Dagesh;

Nouns and Verbs;

The Perfect Tense;

The Direct Object; and

Construct Chain.

Biblical Hebrew 2 *
This class is a continuation of Biblical Hebrew. The student can expect to expand his/her knowledge of grammar rules and application, vocabulary, fluency in reading, and proper translation skills.

The Imperfect Tense;

Drop Letter Imperfects;

Sentences Without Verbs;

The Adjective;

Possessive Endings;

Prepositions with Pronoun Endings;

The Reversing Vav;

The Participle; and

The Infinitive.

Jewish Roots
This course gives the student an appreciation and understanding of messianic faith. Yeshua spoke from "within Judaism" and never abandoned His "ancestral faith". The class also describes how a prime facet of Tanach/Jewish thought was the promise and fulfillment of Biblical prophecy in relation to the coming Messiah. Something which the earliest Believers, who were Jews, found resolved in the person of Yeshua HaMashiach. The student will discover how this Jewishness affects our understanding of the teachings of Yeshua. Some of the topics that are presented are:

The Root and the Branches

Gentiles, Jews, and Jewish History

The Earliest Church and Judaism

Theological Conflict and Persecution

"Heretics" and the Synagogue

The Jewish Revolts and the Parting of the Way

A History of Contempt: Anti-Semitism and the Church

The Old Testament: Hebraic Foundation of the Church

The Contour of Hebrew Thought

Where the Church Went Wrong

The textbook for this class is Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, by Dr. Marvin Wilson. This book is available in the Baruch HaShem Judaica Shop. Recommended tapes can be purchased with lectures on each chapter of the book in the Judaica Shop for $20.00 (for the complete set of tapes). An e-workbook must be completed during this independent study. It can be purchased and downloaded here. Chapter questions from the e-workbook must be completed for credit.

Year 3

Torah Appreciation *
Students build on the skills they learned in Biblical Hebrew 1 & 2, with extra attention focused on the appreciation & history of the Torah service, the origin of the Scriptures, Translation of Hebrew Scriptures, Parashiyot order of Chumash, and how to write a Drash. Students will also learn the Ashkenazi High Sof art of cantillation and system of trop markings.

Cantillation Tutoring *
The B’nei mitzvah class will be assigned one parasha. Each student will chant a few verses and will be responsible for translating those verses. The class will write a drash together and elect a spokesperson to deliver the drash.

*See the Hebrew Education Ministry pages for information on Hebrew language classes and cantillation training.

You can receive an e-mail reminder whenever this page is updated. Click the "Monitor Changes" button to have the highly-regarded "Change Detection" web site monitor this page and send you a note when it changes.