Religious Education: an Example Student Project on Jewish Bar Mitzvah Traditions
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ArtHouse is entirely appropriate and valuable for project-based lessons in Jewish
elementary schools, Shabbat schools, JCC day-care and after-school programs, and for
Hebrew language instruction.
In this example student project, Sam presented memories of his recent Bar Mitzvah. Jewish
tradition teaches that parents are responsible for the behavior of their sons until the
age of 13 years and one day (and daughters until age 12). After that, boys automatically
become Bar Mitzvah, girls become Bat Mitzvah, and collectively they become B'nai Mitzvah.
Importantly, as mature members of their community they become eligible to read the Torah
publicly and obligated to fulfill the responsibilities of Jewish life. Traditions grow and
multiply. The ceremony that marks this rite of passage has developed into an important event.
The Torah is the first five books of the Bible, and an "aliyah" is a public blessing of
(or reading from) the Torah on behalf of their synagogue congregation. The centerpiece of
B'nai Mitzvah celebrations is the youth's first aliyah. Today it's common practice for
Bar Mitzvah celebrants to do even more. They usually learn and deliver the haftarah portion
of the Shabbat service. This is a reading from the prophets, concluding with a traditional chant.
To do all this well, the youth must first learn some Hebrew language. Sam's Rabbi explained
the importance of Hebrew school: The curriculum is designed to teach students the prayers
they need for the B'nai Mitzvah service. The Rabbi further explained that the Hebrew school
program teaches students that we practice prayer. When we practice prayer, like
practicing an instrument or a sport, we get better at it and it deepens our experience and
renews our souls. During his Bar Mitzvah, Sam read in Hebrew from the Torah and explained
his interpretation of the passage, both generally and personally.
During the service, the synagogue's Torah is symbolically and literally passed from the
hands of one generation to another. Above, in the left-hand panel, three generations of
family are shown. Sam is illustrated carefully carrying the Torah scrolls. It's another
tradition to carry the Torah out through the congregation. (Normally everyone would be
standing during the procession.) Each worshipper gently touches their prayer book to the
precious scrolls.
In the center panel above, Sam's proud father is shown holding the Torah. Traditionally,
after the youth's first aliyah the parents recite blessings too.
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At Sam's synagogue, B'nai Mitzvah celebrations coincide with regular Saturday Shabbat services,
and they're followed by the offering of a Kiddush (a blessing of wine, that in this case
precedes a reception) that the entire congregation attends. After the Kiddush reception, the
party moves to another location for a meal, dancing, and celebration. These pictures show
elements from both receptions. In the center panel Sam is shown lifted up in a boisterous
traditional "chair dance". In the right-hand panel Sam thanks family and friends for support
given throughout the Bar Mitzvah process.
Sam's Bar Mitzvah was the first I ever attended, and it moved me deeply. After the Kiddush,
I overheard Sam quietly tell his younger sister that it was the best day of his life and he
hoped her Bat Mitzvah would be the best day of her's. That joy was evident throughout the day!
Sam had appeared so comfortable leading the congregation in prayer, and reading from the Torah.
The celebration of Shabbat occurs each and every week, but it's never a show or spectacle. In leading
the congregation in prayer, Sam simply joined the community in a very profound way. How could
that be anything but uplifting?
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(Note: Sam is the son of Donnie and Ellen, dear friends of ours since high school. When we
told Sam we'd been invited to present ArtHouse to a conference of Jewish educators, he volunteered
to create demonstration decorations. He wanted to help us show how incredibly versatile ArtHouse
is as a teaching aide for all sorts of Jewish cultural and religious education programs.)
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