Preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah typically involves several months of study and practice. Children often work with a rabbi or tutor to learn Hebrew, understand their Torah portion, and become familiar with the prayers and rituals associated with the ceremony. They will practice prayers that they will say before and after their reading and will research and prepare a short speech with guidance from their Rabbi or tutor.
The Bar Mitzvah service usually takes place on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, known as "Shabbat. For most boys and girls, and their parents, the ceremony in the synagogue (temple) - is the climax of the bar mitzvah experience. After the months of preparing, the child is called to stand on the alter ("bimah") before the congregation. This honor is called an "aliyah" and once there they often chant, in Hebrew, a passage of the Torah (Jewish bible) reading for the week. Following the Torah reading, and several blessings, all children celebrating their Bar or Bat Mitzvah will chant, in Hebrew, a reading from the prophets. These readings, called the "haftorah" have been selected to relate to teachings of the Torah portion that was read that day. After the haftorah, the boy or girl will then deliver (in English!!) a "d'var Torah" a short speech they've written about the Torah portion they read, demonstrating their understanding of the lesson and offering their own interpretation. This is a chance for him or her to connect the ancient text to their own life.
The Torah portion that Penn will read is from the Book of Exodus and is called "Ki Tisa". This portion tells the story of God giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. When Moses returns with the tablets, he sees that the Israelites have built an idol, a golden calf. In his disappointment he throws the tablets down, breaking them. God forgives their sin and Moses then goes up the mountain and gets a second set of tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. I'm anxiously awaiting Penn's d'var Torah to hear his interpretation of this portion and how it applies to his life!
Because this Torah portion has to do with Moses - I'll ask you to remember the story of Moses. He was found by the Pharaoh's daughter, where he had been hidden by his mother in a basket among the reeds on the Nile River. So. challenge #2 will be to have water in your layout!
For my example, this layout is of my DGDs at the Minnesota Zoo marveling at the disabled turtle living his best life in the coral reef exhibit.
Now for the boring, but important stuff:
1) For this challenge, only layouts can be submitted
2) This challenge will be due at midnight on 3/31.
3) All layouts must be NEW. You may combine this challenge with one other monthly challenge that permits it, (as well as the team challenge and the bimonthly prompt challenge) but you may NOT submit the same layout for 2 different Bar Mitzvah challenges.
4) Only one submission, per person.
5) MOST IMPORTANT: I hope that you learned something and that you HAVE FUN!
Thank you!! 
