Whether wizened with age or “out of the mouth of babes” we celebrate the unique wisdom of all the students who participate in our Open Tent Be Mitzvah programs. This is also why we strive to make learning in our Open Tent inclusive and accessible.
To continue making this possible, we have launched the Open Tent Be Mitzvah Scholarship Fund which aims to provide financial assistance to students and families whose personal financial landscape may otherwise prevent them from being a part of these transformative Jewish learning experiences.
Recent Adult Re & Be Mitzvah graduate Deb Golanty shares why she and her husband donated to the scholarship fund:
My husband Jim and I were happy to be invited to support the Open Tent Be Mitzvah Scholarship Campaign. Our enthusiastic answer was: “Yes!”
On June 1, I – along with 5 other fellow students – celebrated our Adult Be Mitzvah together. As Rabbi Amanda Schwartz commented, it was her first ever Be Mitzvah ceremony for adults as well as the first group Be Mitzvah. It was an honor to be part of this transformative event.
I remember how our opening session began last November with a fun icebreaker exercise to get acquainted. I expected to enjoy a stimulating, challenging, intellectual course of Be Mitzvah study with Rabbi Amanda and the five others. That happened, and so much more! I did not anticipate the emotional, spiritual, and soul bonding that grew among us after 7 months of honest learning and interaction that deepened our connection to Jewish practices in a uniquely personal way.
The culmination on June 1 of our efforts exceeded, I am sure, everyone’s expectation. What a joyful experience! As our certificate reads, we Be Mitzvahs “shared their Torah in front of their community as they embraced their role as a Be Mitzvah. They have now earned their Jewish driver’s license to be a leader and teacher among the Jewish people.”
Kudos to Rabbi Amanda and the Judaism Your Way team who created the course, recorded the prayers & song, and produced really interesting weekly source sheets.
Our Judaism Your Way community will be strengthened significantly as more students – adult and traditional age – are enriched by this program. Please consider a donation to make that happen.
Deb Golanty
It is with the generosity of our community members that we are able to make Jewish learning fiscally accessible – thank you to Deb and Jim and the many people who support our mission at Judaism Your Way. Todah rabah!
