When Judith Kaplan became the first American girl to have a bat mitzvah ceremony on March 18, 1922 at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), she had no idea that her actions would change Jewish communal life forever.
But something unexpected happened along the way. As increasing numbers of girls ascended the bimah, girls and women began to expect—and demand—access to ritual honors and synagogue leadership. Bat mitzvah firsts were a catalyst for expanding all women’s participation in Jewish life and paved the way for people of all genders to mark their coming-of-age in new and inclusive ways.
Explore the resources in the link for use in a B* Mitzvah celebration, in a classroom or in a congregational setting.
- Lifecycle
- Women in Judaism / Feminism
- Jewish Tradition
- 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.
Resources to help educators craft meaningful learning opportunities for learners of all types.
Explore one girl's campaign to have the first Saturday morning Bat Mitzvah in her congregation.