Congregation Dor Hadash housed within Rodef Shalom

Questions About the Ceremony

What exactly is a Bat Mitzvah?

• It is a coming of age ceremony that 13-year old Jewish girls celebrate, entering into the Jewish community as a (at least ritually speaking) adult.

• There is also a version for boys, the Bar Mitzvah, and sometimes the gender neutral B’ Mitzvah is used. Interestingly enough, although a boy, Bruce Wayne had a Bat Mitzvah.

• Bat Mitzvah is not really a thing that one does, but is instead a thing one becomes. In that way, it is transformative of the girl who becomes a Bat Mitzvah and is thereafter an adult, at least liturgically.

• A mitzvah generally is a direction from God - sometimes you might say commandment, but also you can think of it in terms of law or covenant. The covenant bit is a recognition that the mitzvot are often more like contract law, where you voluntarily enter into certain duties, rather than tort or criminal law where everyone has duties simply incident to existing. Becoming a Bat Mitzvah, then, is ticking off the cosmic box that agrees to God's Terms and Conditions.

What is different when one has become a Bat Mitzvah?

• After she becomes a Bat Mitzvah, Teddy can be a part of a minyan – a gathering of ten people who have become Bar or Bat Mitzvahs who can combine become a collective megaphone to God. It is like Voltron, for prayer.

• She will be able to read the Torah during services – as you will see her do.

• She will take on the responsibility of being a part of the work, not just the heritage, of Judaism. For example, Teddy will now be a part of shaping, rather than simply learning, what it means to be Jewish. She will also have a responsibility to engage with the 613 mitzvot (it seems like a lot, but some are extremely specific), and to work to repair the world – called “tikkun olam.” Famously, no Jew is required to complete the work of repairing the world, but neither are they free to abandon it.

What is going to happen at the ceremony?

• There will be many prayers, readings from the Torah, readings from other important texts, and some discussion of what it all means. Teddy will, as the Bat Mitzvah, do much of this. Other people will do other parts.

• Teddy will be telling us about some of those Mitzvot noted above, specifically having to do with fiscal policy and food restrictions.

• Restricting one's diet for moral and/or ethical reasons is close to Teddy's heart. You may get to hear her talk about that some.

• Some close friends and family will also participate by doing some additional readings and saying some prayers.

What is the Torah?

• As a physical item, the Torah is a scroll on which the most sacred text of Judaism is written. It is kept in an ark and brought out to read through the course of the Jewish year. The scroll is made of sheepskin and the text is written on it without vowels.

• It's big, and heavy. It often looks like someone is about to drop it. That almost never happens! But it feels like it could, so that keeps things exciting. It's a little like a roller coaster in that way. A roller coaster full of stories about very dead Jews and the rules they lived by.

• The Torah is sometimes refered to as the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, with the rest filled out by the books of the haftorah. These are also called the Books of Moses, and include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It tells the earliest history of the Jewish people and lays out the mitzvot.

What should I do at the ceremony?

• Grab a kippah (also known as a yarmulke) at the door, if you are inclined to, and put it on. You don't have to. The hat police will not be in attendance. But it's a nice way to participate and you are certainly allowed to, even if not Jewish.

• People will be singing, chanting and reciting in Hebrew (and English - a lot of it is in English). There is a book with most of the prayers in it - including a bunch of transliterations. Feel free to participate, if you are comfortable doing it. Even if you don't. Nobody is going to judge you. Out loud.

• At some point, someone will hand you some candy. Hold onto it until you see candy begin to fly through the air, and at that point launch it at Teddy.

What should I wear?

• Other than the little hat, just use your judgment.

What is Reconstructionist Judaism?

• Judaism has a long history of questioning and debate, and Reconstructionist Judaism is a form of Judaism that welcomes and makes a practice of that questioning.

• Reconstructionist Judaism regards Judaism as an ever-evolving practice that pairs tradition with advancements in scientific and social thinking. It is consciously and radically egalitarian, progressive, social-justice forward , and dedicated to recognizing, respecting, and making a place for everyone within the world and the reconstructionist community.

What is Dor Hadash?

• Dor Hadash’s origins date to 1963, when it was founded as a prayer and discussion group. It is Pittsburgh’s only Reconstructionist congregation, and is housed within the facilities of Rodef Shalom, an important and storied congregation for Pittsburgh Jews in its own right.

• Dor Hadash has had many homes throughout its existence, including the Tree of Life Synagogue, where it was a target of the 10/27 shooting for its work to make a more just and loving world.

• Community involvement is of paramount importance in the life of the congregation.