service background

service background

Many Jewish communities began marking bat mitzvahs for girls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was a change from tradition, which had prohibited women from participating directly in religious services. In his address today for the bat mitzvah of Judith Gross, Rabbi Franklin Muller of Congregation Rodef Sholom said he planned to note how the ceremony for girls evolved. Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan performed the first proto-bat mitzvah ceremony in America for his daughter, Judith, in 1922. The event is considered to be the first modern bat mitzvah in the United States and was the catalyst for the modern service.

Bat mitzvah: The words literally mean “daughter of commandment.” Bat is daughter in Aramic, the language of the Jewish people from 500 B.C. (Before the Common Era) to 400 Common Era. Mitzvah is Hebrew for commandment.

Bar mitzvah: The words mean “son of the commandment.”

Significance: It is a milestone life event for Jewish girls and boys that marks embracing responsibilities of Judaism on an adult level. Preparation involves lengthy study including learning Hebrew to read the Torah.

The irony: Judith Gross was born May 22, 1922, the year the first modern bat mitzvah took place in March. The first girl to be bat mitzvah was named Judith. Gross said her father knew about the event and speculated that was among reasons why she was named Judith. A grandfather was named Judah and in the Jewish faith, children are named to honor deceased family members.

Source: About.com.Judaism