In less than 2 weeks, our B’nai Mitzvah class culminates 3 years of study by leading services at our synagogue. Along with 4 other women who’ve become like second sisters to me through our weekly classes, my daughter and I will lead the Torah service, read Torah and Haftorah, and recite blessings that celebrate Shabbat. Afterward, we’ll host the traditional luncheon for our family, friends, and the congregation.
Image: Boaz Yiftach / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
For those who don’t know, a Bar (for a boy) or Bat (for a girl) is a rite of passage into adulthood for Jewish children. Increasingly, adults opt for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah for a variety of reasons. Some celebrate their new-found commitment to Judaism, some never experienced a Bat Mitzvah as these ceremonies were limited to boys in many communities, others want to relive their original Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony as an adult. B’nai Mitzvah is when a group celebrates a joint ceremony.
My daughter and I learned Hebrew as part of our preparation, since most conservative and orthodox synagogues still conduct services in that ancient language in liturgies largely unchanged for thousands of years. Reading Hebrew is just the beginning, however, since you also need to read trop — little marks guiding how the words are sung. Combining Hebrew and trop means that synagogues worldwide chant the same words to the same melody.
We learned Hebrew and trop in class and worked with tutors every week. I’ve never been good with languages and have a little dyslexia making this even more challenging. But, I’m managing.
Preparing for a B’nai Mitzvah really brings home the words of Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof — “Tradition”.
I started in the beginning 3 years ago. I converted to Judaism, so I never had a Bat Mitzvah at 12 like other women in the congregation. In addition to Hebrew, we learned Jewish ritual, the liturgy, Jewish life cycle ceremonies and customs, holiday observances, and rituals for the Jewish home.
My daughter just joined the class this year so she could share the ritual with me. I’m so proud of her I could just burst and I’m happy she is joining me in the celebration. She’s excited about learning material from earlier in the course, especially since she’s expecting her first child in a few weeks and hopes to create a Jewish home for him.
Elizabeth, a friend from the synagogue I attend regularly, commented recently,
I’m still friends with the women I went through B’nai Mitzvah class with.
She recounted her participation with affection and could tell me who and where every member of the class is.
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