Mazal tov!
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony marks an important step in the spiritual and communal development of a Jewish child. The ritual, which typically takes place at age 13, challenges Jewish children to examine the ways in which Judaism can shape their life by engaging in acts of worship, Torah study, and Tikkun Olam (changing the world), and by opening their eyes to the possibilities of life enhanced by Jewish community, learning, and celebration.
The Bar or Bat Mitzvah is about becoming. Rather than representing a destination, it represents a waypoint, a significant stop on the child’s Jewish journey. It provides an opportunity for reflection and contemplation when an individual begins to choose what role Judaism plays in their life. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah decides, day by day, choice by choice, who they want to be in this world and what it means to be a part of our community and our People.
We look forward to sharing moments filled with thoughtfulness and joy, searching and holiness, discovery and celebration, as we travel on this road of becoming together…
L’shalom,
Your Stephen Wise Temple Clergy
B’nai Mitzvah Project Spotlight
In the summer of 2022, Wise bat mitzvah student Tali Kann traveled to Krakow, Poland to volunteer helping Ukrainian refugees as part of her tikkun olam bat mitzvah project. Tali, along with her father and sister, volunteered at the Jewish Community Center of Krakow and for Szafa Dobra, the Polish equivalent of Goodwill. She filmed her experiences and used the video to raise funds and awareness through a GoFundMe page.
Do you have a tikkun olam project you’d like featured? Let us know by emailing Rabbi Ron Stern.