Jewish life is centered around the cycle of life. While daily spiritual living is cherished, it’s the unique moments that bring us together, bring tears to our eyes and remind us of what matters. These moments truly center us. In this review, I will not go into depth about “how to perform” Jewish lifecycles. The…
For Beit Haverim student Emily Anderson, who has loved to read since she was very little, figuring out what to do for her bat mitzvah project was easy – she wanted to find an opportunity where she could help at-risk kids with their reading skills. “I thought I’d be helping kids who were at the…
For Beit Haverim student Emily Anderson, who has loved to read since she was very little, figuring out what to do for her bat mitzvah project was easy – she wanted to find an opportunity where she could help at-risk kids with their reading skills. “I thought I’d be helping kids who were at…
Not every girl gets to lead services chant the entire Torah portion of the week when she becomes a bat mitzvah. Portland Women’s Tefillah, led by Erica Goldman, has provided that opportunity to girls (and women) of all backgrounds since 1984, when the well-known Jewish educator cofounded the group embarked on what was to become a 30- year…
To mark the 90th anniversary of the very first bat mitzvah, the Oregon Jewish Museum is hosting a traveling exhibition, “Bat Mitzvah Comes of Age,” featuring the remarkable story of how, in less than a century, individual girls, their parents and their rabbis challenged and changed communal values and practice to institute this now widely…
When Hannah Sturman became a bat mitzvah in February, it stirred many emotions in the Neveh Shalom community. Hannah and her younger brother Mitchell have a rare brain disorder in which the two hemispheres of the brain do not communicate with each other. Congregation Neveh Shalom for many years hosted a community-wide Sunday school class…
Becoming bar or bat mitzvah takes study, commitment and a lot of hard work. When the big day comes, many say it’s time for a party. And, like any celebration, decorations make the event stand out and shine. From simple to sky’s-the-limit, design decisions affect ambiance and mood. DECORATIONS “What’s fun about a bar and…
Oregon Jewish Life asked four rabbis: With the extensive time commitment to prepare for a bar or bat mitzvah, how can congregations make this an exciting time for students that will inspire them to make Judaism an ongoing part of their lives? Rabbi Debra Kolodny Renewal Portland P’nai Or’s Simcha Sunday School and I prioritize…
A bat mitzvah project nine years ago has evolved into a program that continues to change lives and enrich community. The Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation unites high school students who have a deep interest in Jewish philanthropy and helping the community. OJCYF teens visit Jewish and non-Jewish organizations to learn what they do and…
