Thoughts from the Rabbi...
Shana Tova! Happy New Year!
Our annual greeting of welcome returns to our lips and to our thoughts as we will, very soon, gather with family and friends to welcome another Jewish year. For each of us, this season is often one of renewal and of rekindling of the spirit. How we integrate spirituality into our lives is, of course, a unique pursuit for each of us.
Those wishing to explore a new approach to their own spirituality may want to consider the Adult B’nei Mitzvah course I will be offering beginning this Fall. Bar/Bat Mitzvah means “Son/Daughter of the Commandments,” that is, one who takes responsibility for the holy tasks that are theirs to do. As I believe we are each responsible for the future of our faith, it is my pleasure to offer a course that will enable Jewish adults to better understand their role in this regard:
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah is Different
For the young teen, Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the Jewish process of coming to grips with the reality of independence and the responsibility of individuality. That they are becoming a Jewish adult is also significant, but it is bound up with both the physiological and psychological changes that the young teen is undergoing.
For the adult, Bar/Bat Mitzvah comes at a selected moment in when one wishes to mark a personal, spiritual identification and discern for themselves what it is that uniquely defines them as who they are, and who they are yet becoming.
What it means to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah as an adult will differ for each participant. And yet, even though each individual’s process may be very personal, the celebration is a communal service with all the participants co-leading a Shabbat morning worship service together. The celebrants model for all of us what it means to consciously search for one’s spiritual path.
Requirements (of course!)
The adult learner needs little more than an honest commitment to learn and share with the group. However, there are some specific requirements that will be in place for all participants:
1) Attendance at 90% of all class sessions;
2) Completion of all readings and assignments (2 written; 1 project);
3) Attendance at one Shabbat service per month (minimum);
4) Participation in the Adult B’nei Mitzvah service (May 21, 2011 at 10:00am)
Classes will meet on Saturday mornings (9:30am-11:00am) in the Goodman Lounge. A list of dates and a course syllabus will be distributed at the first class session on September 25.
Hebrew???
All service participants will share in the reading of Torah. Therefore, those students who do not already know how to read Hebrew should plan to enroll in my Beginner Hebrew course at the JCC, which will be taught on Wednesdays, October 6-November 17 (7:30pm-9:00pm).
If I Am Not For Myself, Who Will Be For Me?
Each student will meet privately with me for the purpose of clarifying where you understand yourself to be in your Jewish journey. It will be my pleasure to get to know each of you a little better and, possibly, help each of you get to know yourselves better in the process.
If I Am Only For Myself, What Am I?
Each student will complete a Mitzvah Project. It is our ancient tradition (as well as just a generally good idea!) to lend a hand to someone in need. Students will complete, independently, some project that goes beyond their “normal routine” and gives back to the world and its inhabitants. Project-concepts will be discussed at the first class session.
If Not Now, When???
If you are interested in participating in this course, please contact me ASAP so materials can be prepared for you. To help offset the cost of materials (not including Hebrew texts) each student is asked to bring $36 to the first class session.
