Our students don’t have a B’nai Mitzvah – they become B’nai Mitzvah. They become responsible adults in the Jewish community and in the world. They have the privilege of entering into the sublime world of Torah study, exploring the mysteries of the texts and ideas that have sustained our people. They become partners in the work of tikkun, of fulfilling the Prophetic mandate for the universal recognition of human dignity, the loving pursuit of justice, and shalom. They learn of the dangers of apathy and indifference, so freely fostered in our culture, and begin to ask questions about what they can do to make a difference.

The B’nai Mitzvah is not the end of the journey; it is the beginning. Our students are affirming, publicly, that they are part of the conversation, and our community is responding with a resounding “Yes! We believe that you have something important to say, and we are ready to hear you.”