Used for a Family Bar Mitzvah Workshop at Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati, OH. Program Below: Issac M. Wise Temple 6th Grade Family B’nai Mitzvah Workshop Strings and Things: The Meaning of Tallit Prepared by Joseph Rosen Enduring Understanding: The tallit is an important ritual item that symbolizes our engagement with God’s commandments. The blessing of the tallit can be a meaningful ritual for welcoming a B’nai Mitzvah student into Jewish adulthood. Essential Questions: - Where does the commandment of wearing a tallit come from? - How does the tallit enhance t’filah? - Why are tzitizt tied in a special way? 10:20 – 10:25 – Textual Sources for the Tallit Joseph leads a brief discussion form the textual sources (Source Sheet) 10:25-10:30 – Tallit and B’nai Mitzvah Joseph will introduce how the Tallit can be a significant moment for B’nai Mitzvah. - Parents welcoming their children into Jewish adulthood - Symbolic meaning for taking on the commandments - Tallit can be made unique for the student - Tallit for other symbols (examples) o Can be used for chupa o Women of the wall tallit Joseph will also show participants his tallit and tallit bag, which had great significance for his Bar Mitzvah - Talking Points: o Made by family for family o Rabbis help with the blessing of the tallit 10:30-10:45 – Making Tzitit Joseph will demonstrate step by step how to wrap and tie tzitzit. Participants will be given a piece of cloth to decorate so that it reflects them. Cloth will also have a hole punched in the corner to tie tzitit. Every Participant will be given 4 long pieces of string; one of the 4 should be 3 times the length of the other 3. Process of tying: Loop through hole; Double knot; 7 coils; Double knot; 8 coils; double knot; 11 coils; double knot; 13 coils; double knot. Leshem Mitzvat Tzitzit after each knot. Materials Needed: - Long sheet of Cloth (to make corner squares for tzitzit - 3 spools string (tallit string if available) - Markers - Source Sheets