Mercaz’s Adult Bat Mitzvah Program: Where Women Explore Judaism Together

By: Lindsay Gaister

In response to popular demand, Mercaz, the Beth Tfiloh Adult Learning Center, will once again offer an 18-month Adult Bat Mitzvah program at Beth Tfiloh beginning Oct. 17, 2012.

The program allows interested women to explore the ins and outs of Judaism in a detailed and cohesive manner.

Each Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m., classes will focus on different aspects of Jewish learning, including: Jewish History, Bible, Prayer, and Mitzvot. Participants will have many of their questions surrounding the Jewish religion answered by learning about major events that helped shape the Jewish people. Topics such as Belief in God, Prayer, Shabbat, Sexuality, and Jewish Observance will all be covered.

In addition, the curriculum will provide women with the opportunity to read Hebrew, explore more than 20 different prayers, and gain a deeper understanding of women’s spiritual roles in Judaism regarding mitzvot such as Shabbat, keeping Kosher, and more.

Seventy-five women have completed the program in the past few years and have given it high praise, calling the program both “life-altering” and “inspirational.”

parent Jennifer Dansicker said, “My experience in the Adult Bat Mitzvah program exceeded my expectations. I got the chance to learn from a diverse and talented group of teachers that included BT teachers, scholars, rabbis, authors, and more. I also found long-lasting and unexpected friendship from many of the women who were Bat Mitzvahed with me. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to share this experience with the most caring, intelligent, committed women I have ever met.”

According to participant Margie Herman, “The program was educational, enlightening, spiritual, and lots of fun. In a warm, stimulating, non-pressured atmosphere, our amazing, diverse group of women enjoyed exploring our beliefs, thoughts, and ideas about Judaism. It certainly deepened my understanding and knowledge. The many teachers and speakers were terrific and the curriculum, while well-structured, allowed for our individual interests, questions, and pursuits. I highly recommend this program.”

Classes and activities include:

• Hebrew Reading and Proficiency
• Siddur Highlights
• Highlights of Jewish History
• The Many Faces of Judaism
• Mitzvot for Women
• Crash Course in Basic Judaism
• A Personal Mitzvah Project
• A Group Mitzvah Project

The entire Adult Bat Mitzvah program will culminate with a lovely ceremony on Mother’s Day, 2014. 

Fees for this program do apply. For more information, please contact Sandy Vogel at 410-413-2306 or mercaz@btfiloh.org.

Ready to sign up? REGISTER HERE