Why do we celebrate becoming a bar/bat mitzvah?

This was the question for our first program. We discussed several possible answers:

1. It is a way to publicly mark that we are ready to take on new responsibilities in the community.
2. It is our heritage. We can't imagine NOT doing it.
3. It lets us share our joy with the community, family and friends with a kiddush or party.
4. It is a way to show our Jewish learning and talk about mitzvah projects.

We also shared a lot of memories and ideas about bar/bat mitzvah celebrations past and present. Parents remembered feeling very proud and important on their special day. Some parents acknowledged that only as an adult did they really understand the importance of the bar/bat mitzvah process. Special thanks to parents who shared stories of their adult bar/bat mitzvah.

The evaluations showed that this program got us all thinking! Thanks to the students for being such great interviewers.

Each child, along with their family, takes an individual journey to becoming a bar/bat mitzvah. Thanks to all the families that come back with younger children to walk the path anew.