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.
- Lifecycle
- After School and Beyond
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Family Engagement
- Teen Engagement
Discover more
Educational resources on the rituals and practices of Jewish life including birth, marraige, conversion, and mourning.
Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. Mitzvah Corps is a hands-on learning model for 7th-grade students with eight units based on ethical mitzvoth each with Learning, Action, and Reflection components.
Resources to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Bat Mitzvah in many settings.