baT MITZVAH
SOPHIA JOHNSON'S
THE BIG DAY!
Saturday morning services will be led by Sophia as she reads
from the Torah, recites prayers, and more
Saturday Morning Schedule
November 22, 2025
10:00 am ~ Saturday morning services start in the sanctuary. This is the service that is considered Sophia's Bat Mitzvah service. She will be leading the congregation in prayer, reading from the Torah, and there will be speeches from Sophia as well as her parents. Please join us at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot in Irvine. Directions and a map can be found at the bottom of this page. If you arrive late, don't worry, you can quietly walk into the sanctuary and find a vacant seat. If people in the congregation are all standing, please wait until they are seated before finding an empty seat. If you have young children, there is a "quiet room" that you can visit with them, where they can play and make noise without it disturbing the service.
11:30 am ~ Immediately following the service, we will walk to the atrium of the synagogue to socialize and share in a light meal, sometimes called a Kiddush lunch. After this, there will be an extended break until the Saturday evening reception, which starts at 5:00 pm (see "Saturday Night Celebration" on the events tab for more details).
Sophia becomes a Bat Mitzvah!
Shabbat continues on, with Saturday morning services, which will be held in the sanctuary of our synagogue, "Shabbat Shalom" is still considered an appropriate greeting, as it is still Shabbat until the evening. Sophia will be leading us in prayer, chanting from the Torah, and shares her insights on becoming a Bat Mitzvah. It's a deeply personal ceremony where she will reflect on her journey and connect with the community.
This momentous occasion marks Sophia's formal entry into Jewish adulthood. signifying her commitment to Jewish values and traditions. She will demonstrate her understanding of Jewish law and her personal connection to her heritage. Thank you for joining us for this significant milestone.
A Sweet Celebration
Now that services are over, it's time to socialize and have a nosh (Yiddish for snack). While a traditional Kiddush lunch often features bagels and lox, we're excited to have a special treat: crepes, which are a favorite of Sophia's. There will be options for our gluten-free guests too.
After you have had a bite to eat and socialized a bit, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like. We will see you at the evening reception for more food and fun, starting at 5pm. Please note: Saturday night is at a different location - please see the "Saturday Night Celebration" link on the "Events" drop down menu, above.
Directions and Parking Info
Saturday Morning Shabbat Services and Kiddush lunch will take place at:
Complementary parking is available in the parking lot in front of the synagogue. If you park in one of the tandum spots, please leave your information at the front desk so that you can be contacted to move your car, if needed.
Sophia Johnson's Bat Mitzvah