Calling all Year 6 girls: get ready for your Bat Mitzvah with our first-ever Bat Mitzvah programme.
The Bat Mitzvah Café is a unique opportunity to engage with Jewish texts, build confidence, and develop practical skills for Jewish life...all while enjoying a cosy hot chocolate café at each session! Taught by Rabbi Miriam Lorie and a selection of JW3 stars, this programme will empower girls to embrace Jewish adulthood with confidence and pride.
What You’ll Gain
- Relatable Torah Learning - Instil a love of Torah study and Judaism, making Jewish tradition relatable to 10 & 11-year-olds.
- Skills Building - build confidence and leadership skills through experience with Jewish practice, especially Shabbat.
- Conversations for Today - explore how Judaism can help navigate big questions girls face growing up today.
The Café will consist of five two-hour Sunday sessions, plus a final full day together. The full course must be booked.
Module 1: Women Ancestors
Exploring female figures in Jewish history through art, music, and midrash.
Session 1 (2 November): Eve the Mother
- Meet the first ever woman
- Text Skills: Understanding the Jewish library over time.
Session 2 (9 November): Sarah at the Akeida
- Examining Sarah’s perspective during the Akeida.
- Text Skills: Understanding the chronology of the Torah.
Session 3 (16 November): Judith in the Enemy's Tent
- Exploring Judith as the lesser-known heroine of Chanukah
- Discussing how to balance bravery with self-protection
- Text Skills: Understanding Torah geography.
Module 2: Developing Leadership Skills
Developing leadership skills through the learning of Shabbat and other Jewish practices.
Session 3 (30 November): Shabbat
- Learning to Lead Shabbat and considering bat mitzvah options.
Session 5 (7 December): Shabbat Cont'd
- Learning to Lead Shabbat and time for individual projects.
Module 3: Day of Discovery
Session 6 (14 December): Day of Discovery
A full-day together focusing on real-life challenges, Jewish identity, and social action. The day will include discussions on:
- Relationships with family
- Social media
- Bullying & the role of the bystander
- Body confidence
- Being a British Jew
- Social Action Chanukah project
There will also be a closing ceremony, where girls will present their final projects, and be presented with a certificate.
The sessions will be led by Rabbi Miriam Lorie, a Jewish educator and Rabbi, passionate about bringing Judaism to life for young people and adults alike. Since 2022, she has been Rabbi at Kehillat Nashira, a warm, inclusive partnership minyan community in Borehamwood. Notably, Rabbi Miriam is the first female Orthodox rabbi in the UK to lead a community.
Miriam read Theology & Religious Studies at Cambridge and studied for semicha (ordination) at Yeshivat Maharat. She will ensure a balance between modern and traditional perspectives to keep it accessible and relatable to all Jewish denominations.
In partnership with JOFA UK.
