TEMPLES

B'nei Mitzvah is where the strength and legacy of past generations

guide those who will carry Judaism forward.

Family Ties deepens this milestone by creating an intentional space to connect generations before the student stands on the bimah. The connection is created through the tallit, which offers a natural and powerful framework as the student steps into the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood.

Family Ties honors the sacred role clergy holds, while strengthening the meaning and continuity surrounding this rite of passage.

HOW IT WORKS

1. GATHER

Family members come together and bring their tallit, if they have one.

2. EXCHANGE

Each family member exchanges one of the knotted strings (tzitzit) from their tallit, with a string from the child's tallit, so that both tallit include a string from one another.

3. TIE

Family member's strings (tzitzit) are added and tied, with intention and meaning, into the child's tallit.

4. BLESS

A personal blessing by each participating family member is spoken as the knots are secured.

As a result, the tallit is transformed into a ritual object and tangible expression of Jewish continuity.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Held in the family's home or a chosen setting, about 60 minutes in length

Fully guided, step-by-step, by an experienced facilitator

Appropriate for all family constellations, backgrounds, and denominations

Requires no additional time commitment or preparation from clergy or temple staff

WHY TEMPLES LOVE FAMILY TIES

Reinforces core B'nei Mitzvah values through experiential Jewish learning

Deepens the child's understanding of their place within the ongoing story of the Jewish people and those who came before them

Supports clergy and educators by offering a meaningful enrichment experience that carries families into B'nei Mitzvah and beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Family Ties is honored to partner with temples seeking to enrich family engagement

and elevate the B'nei Mitzvah experience.

LEARN MORE

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Family Ties was founded by Jennifer Hobaica, who created the B'nei Mitzvah program at a temple in Encino, CA and spent a decade guiding hundreds of students and their families, in close partnership with clergy and educators, through one of Judaism's most meaningful milestones.

Along the way, Jennifer learned the art and symbolism of tzitit tying directly from clergy and gained a deep respect for the ritual, its history and its power to connect generations.