A: BACKGROUND Introduction Adolescence – A Major Jewish Turning-Point A Life Cycle Crisis? Time for a Ceremony Strange Ceremonies: Coming-of-Age in Different Cultures Coming-of-Age in Judaism – Which Age is This? “All Change!” – The Concept of the Automatic Change Focus on the Bar Mitzvah Ceremony What’s in a Bar Mitzvah – Examining the Central Elements 8a. The Torah and the Haftarah 8b. The Se’udah – Celebratory Meal 8c. The Drashah or Dvar Torah – Speech 8d. Tefillin and Minyan 8e. The Bar Mitzvah Blessings Bring on the Girls – The Big Bat Mitzvah Question The Mature Bat (or Bar) Mitzvah The Times They Are A-Changing: Examination of Implications Recognising the Problem: Vulgarity as a Symptom Proposing Solutions: Ceremony in Search of a Meaning Other Options: Changing the Age B: PRIMARY TEXTS The Stages of Life According to Judaism The Difference Between Before and After – The Stage of Responsibility Thirteen – A Time of Moral Development Mitzvot According to Development – The Other Point of View An Early Coming-of-Age Custom The Source of Tefillin The Congregation’s Blessing The Father’s Blessing A Father’s Responsibility Letting the Children Go The Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s Blessing Girls and Torah – The Controversy Ostentatious Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations Reaching Out to the World Judaism Without G-d? The Need for a New Framework C: EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Changes The Elements of Change Responding Morally Changing Boys, Changing Girls Parental Responsibilities – Parental Blessings Ostentation – the Great Bar/Bat Mitzvah Question Thirteen Years – Thirteen Tasks Coming-of-Age – But at Which Age? Parents and Children – Transmission D: Bibliography and Links
