B'nai Mitzvah

The B'nai Mitzvah program includes readings from the Torah, singing Shabbat prayers, and offering a teaching (Drash) from the Torah portion of the week. In the process of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, each student learns about Judaism, Torah, responsibility, community, and their own relationship to these parts of being a Jewish adult. One-on-one tutoring is offered as part of the preparation for this rite of passage.

• Ages: 12–13 years old

B'nai Israel Jewish Center describes itself as Petaluma's inclusive center for Jewish life and as an inclusive center for Jewish life located in Petaluma, CA, the southernmost town in Sonoma County. The organization states that it works to address the cultural, religious, spiritual, educational, and social needs of those who wish to identify with the Jewish community and offers many events, gatherings, and ways to connect with each other and with individual spirituality. It also describes having a robust role in the community inside and outside the center, including interfaith groups and volunteer opportunities that give and care for the community at large.

The leadership team includes Rabbi Shalom Bochner (Rabbi), Teri Porter (Gan Israel Preschool Director), Erica Stuart (Office Administrator/Communications Director), Abbey Levine (President), an unnamed Executive Vice-President, Regina Wilson-Seppa (Program and Education Vice-President), an open Finance Vice-President position, Lani Slonim (Westside Interfaith Food Pantry Coordinator), Dru West (Treasurer), Alisa Goldberg (Ritual Committee Chair), and Adam Kinsey (Tikkun Olam Team).

Last updated March 28, 2026.