Jewish Coming of Age

Interfaith families should ask the rabbi about synagogue policies and honestly examine both parents' attachments to Judaism.

Divorced parents must rise above their own differences and make the day special for the child.

Parents, educators, rabbis and student must work as a team to adjust the ceremony to the student's learning style and capabilities.

Practical aspects of bar bat mitzvah

Creating a tallit (prayer shawl) or designing a bar/bat mitzvah invitation can add a meaningful personal dimension to the celebration.

For a traditional family, the appropriate date for a bar/bat mitzvah is the Shabbat on or following the child's birthday, but for a liberal family, selecting a date can be more complicated.

Confirmation changed the requirements for Jewish "adulthood" by moving the focus from religious practice to doctrine.

Although not associated with puberty, this rite represents a spiritual "coming of age" for adult Jews.

The bar mitzvah ceremony is medieval, but a bar mitzvah blessing appears nearly a millenium earlier.

A family educator offers words of advice to the family.