Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of b’nai mitzvah (also called bat mitzvahs for girls and bar mitzvahs for boys), Jewish coming-of-age ceremonies typically done at age 13.
B’nai Mitzvah
The Latest
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Life ‘Today You Are … Still a Child’: Why 13 Is Too Young For Bar/Bat Mitzvah
We learned from the cover story of the past Sunday’s New York Times Magazine that there is a debate raging in developmental psychology and neuropsychology circles as to whether there is a new stage in human development called “emergent adulthood.” Some might call it “prolonged adolescence,” but apparently, a lot of people are asking a…
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The Schmooze 14-Year-Old Rabbinical Prodigy Denied Ordination
Just a year removed from his bar mitzvah, Netanya teenager Moshe Raziel Sharify is ready to become a rabbi. Thing is, Israel’s Chief Rabbinate won’t let him. At 14, Sharify has been hailed as a rabbinical prodigy, garnering the approval of at least 10 “well-respected” rabbis, including Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, the Jerusalem Post…
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Life Visiting With My Bat Mitzvah Dress
There are those childhood pictures that are reminders of our cuter selves. Aw, There I am with the freckles! And that’s me with chocolate sundae smeared all over my face! Precious. And then, of course, there are those pictures of yesteryear that have a more humiliating bent. A particular one comes to mind: I’m wearing…
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The Schmooze Paul Rudd Bat Mitzvah Video Makes the Rounds
Last night “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” debuted the Forward’s now-famous Paul Rudd bat mitzvah video, of the “Dinner for Schmucks” star making a living as a DJ in the early 90s. Check out the hilarious clip below (Rudd appears at the very end, after all the other brouhaha). We just love the jacket!
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Life Paul Rudd Was My Bat Mitzvah DJ
Before Paul Rudd broke into television and movies, the “Dinner for Schmucks” star was working the bar and bat mitzvah circuit in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley. He emceed my bat mitzvah party, back in 1992 — months before landing a recurring role on the NBC drama “Sisters.” (“Clueless” was still a few years off.) The…
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The Schmooze Elena Kagan Gives Congress Its Most Jewish Moment Ever
As might be expected of an Upper West Side girl who demanded a bat mitzvah, Elena Kagan seems pretty comfortable with her roots. “As you know, I don’t think it’s a secret I am Jewish,” she said yesterday, during the second day of her confirmation hearings in front of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. But the…
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Life In Israel, Bat Mitzvahs Where Torah Is Read Remain Rare
“Where are you heading?” a friend asks. “I’m on my way to pick up Naomi from her bat mitzvah lesson.” I reply. The response is silence and a slightly confused look. “She’s going to read from the Torah at her bat mitzvah and she’s started studying for it. You know, I’m American and all, and…
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The Schmooze Ke$ha’s Bat Mitzvah Blunder
Imagine this… it’s your big day, you are finally a (Jewish) woman: It’s your bat mitzvah. And Daddy’s even paid $50,000 to bring a huge star to your party as a surprise. Only when the star performs her two songs (yeah that’s $25,000 a pop) she wishes you Happy Sweet 16. WHAT? Apparently that’s what…
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