The b mitzvah ceremony signifies the transition of a Jewish child into adulthood. What is one thing you think Jewish adulthood means? (This can be a specific responsibility or any thoughtful answer) (Lila judges)
For example, Jewish adulthood may mean fasting on Yom Kippur, choosing your level of Jewish practice, etc.
True or false: Although the first bar mitzvah ceremonies happened in medieval Europe, the first bat mitzvah ceremony happened in the United States.
True! The bat mitzvah of Judith Kaplan in 1922 in New York was the first of its kind.
What year did the first bat mitzvah take place? Hint: the 100th anniversary of this event took place in recent years.
1922
Which clip from the film critic activity stood out the most to you? Why? Does this clip resonate with you feelings leading up to your b mitzvah?
A thoughtful answer will receive points
True or False: There was no bar mitzvah service before the 6th century CE. Before this time, a Jewish boy would automatically became a bar mitzvah at 13.
True! In this era no ceremony or ritual was necessary for a boy to become a bar mitzvah.
What does "bar mitzvah" or "bat mitzvah" literally translate as?
Son of the commandment / daughter of the commandment
True or false: Although she knew she was making history, Judith Kaplan, the first bat mitzvah, said the bat mitzvah itself was unremarkable. In fact, she is quoted as saying, "No thunder sounded. No lightening struck."
True!
True or false: You can only become a b mitzvah at 12 or 13.
False! Adult b mitzvahs are very common. For various reasons, not everyone has their b mitzvah as an adolescent, and you can study for this ritual at any age.
True or False: The concept of a b mitzvah party (a celebratory event after the service is complete) is a new phenomenon. Only in the last hundred years or so did this become common practice.
False! Medieval bar mitzvah ceremonies were followed by a gala feast, called s'udat mitzvah ("meal of celebrating the performance of a mitzvah"). They didn't have any DJs at these however.
What is the traditional age of a bar mitzvah? Is this different from the traditional age of the bat mitzvah? *This is according to history, not always reflected in today's practices*
13 for boys/bar mitzvah, 12 for girls/bat mitzvah
The first bat mitzvah happened in a very progressive reconstuctionist congregation. Orthodox (the most observant/traditional) congregations did not perform bat mitzvah ceremonies until what decade?
B: 1940s! Orthodox Rabbi Jerome Tov Feinstein allowed bat mitzvah ceremonies at Anshe Emes congregation in Brooklyn starting in 1944.
Some people, upon reaching age 83, consider themselves to be 13 in a second lifetime and celebrate a second bar or bat mitzvah at that age. Why do you think this is?
According to the Torah, the normal human lifespan is 70 years, so having reached age 83 some people have a second bar mitzvah!
Name something that would have occurred in the oldest known bar mitzvah ceremonies (medieval period) that still exists in a b mitzvah service today.
Calling b mitzvah up to the Torah, b mitzvah chants the blessings and a weekly Torah portion and/or the haftarah section, parents bless b mitzvah, b mitzvah gives a d'var torah, etc!
True or false: All of the following names have been used by non-binary and trans Jewish adolescents for their B Mitzvahs ceremonies: They Mitzvah, Zera Mitzvah, Ban Mitzvah
True! All of the above have been used in these contexts.
The first bat mitzvah differed in several key ways from today's bat mitzvahs. In what ways, do you think? Hint: think about the service.
It was different in many ways, showing the inequalities Judith Kaplan faced as a young woman at this time. For example: She read from a printed version of the Torah, not the Torah itself. She also did not stand of the bimah of her synagogue, nor did she wear a tallit.
True or false: Even though bat mitzvahs weren't a practice, some 19th century families in traditional communities held a s'udat mitzvah celebration for girls on their 12th birthday.
True! These celebrations sometimes consisted of the girl delivering a talk and her father reciting a blessing, both common features of a bar mitzvah.
True or false: In the 1800s, Reform Judaism actually abolished the bar mitzvah. They instead implemented confirmation ceremonies that both girls and boys could participate in.
True! Bat mitzvah was not considered an option at that time, so confirmation classes did replace them during this time. Currently, many reform synagogues offer confirmation classes for students after their b mitzvah.
The term "bar mitzvah" is quite old, and is a phrase in a language that many Jews spoke in ancient times. What language is it? Hint: It's not Hebrew.
Aramaic! "bar" means "son of"
In Hebrew, "ben" means "son of"
What historical event having to do with women's equality inspired the first rabbi in America to lead a bat mitzvah service and promote this new ritual?
Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (Judith's father) was inspired by women who demanded the right to vote as part of the early feminist movement. The 19th amendment was passed in 1920, giving white women the right to vote in America.
In decades before the invention of the bat mitzvah, women were given fewer opportunities and responsibilities in Judaism compared to men. For example, girls and women didn't start to carry Torah scrolls around the synagogue until what decade?
A: the 1940s! In 1945, a group of young women in the synagogue where Judith Kaplan became bat mitzvah decided that they would challenge the tradition that only men were allowed to carry the Torah.