bar mitzvah

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Seeding New Jewish Rituals on an Organic Farm

Oliver Levis and his family take a DIY approach to crafting their own unique Jewish community in rural Vermont.

What To Expect At Synagogue Services on Saturday Morning

A guide for bar/bat mitzvah guests and other newcomers to Sabbath worship.

Alternative Bar and Bat Mitzvah Ceremonies

How to have a meaningful ceremony even if you don't belong to a synagogue.

Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah Gift Guide

Tips for picking the right present for this Jewish rite of passage.

The Parents’ Role in a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Service

Traditionally, the father recited one blessing during the service, but today, parents are often much more involved.

What Is the Haftarah, and Why Do We Read It?

Each Torah portion is paired with a passage from the Prophets.

Today’s Lavish Feasts Derive from Meals with Sacred Status

Although the bar/bat mitzvah meal is traditionally a seudat mitzvah--a meal with sacred status--extravagance has been rife for hundreds of years.

The D’var Torah as Religious Struggle

The struggle to find personal meaning in words of Torah and to share that message with the community is the essence of Jewish spiritual maturation.

Is Bar/Bat Mitzvah a Communal or Personal Rite?

The bar/bat mitzvah service now focuses on the child as individual, but the synagogue community should not suffer.

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