More Than Just a Party: Bat/Bar Mizvah Then and Now

Today, the Bat Mitzvah may seem like a routine aspect of a young girl's Jewish life. But less than 100 years ago, no public ceremony existed to mark a girl's coming of age, and over the past century, what a "Bat Mitzvah" looks like has continually shifted. This lesson uses the letters from one girl's campaign to have the first Saturday morning Bat Mitzvah in her congregation as a case study for exploring how we confront controversial issues and make change in our communities.

This lesson is recommended for grade 5 and above.

An alternative version of this lesson, designed for family education, is available here.