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The Jewish Community School, Melbourne, Australia |
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The Jewish Community School Bar/Bat Mitzvah course is a true celebration of "coming of age". For our graduates, the ceremony marks the end of a rite of passage that has required much hard work and perseverance. These students have not studied Jewish history. They have read it, discussed it, argued it, challenged it and questioned it. They have have studied past traditions and stories and have found a way to incorporate them into their lives. They have explored the wisdom of the prophets, the warriors and the kings and have fashioned guidelines that are relevant to their daily lives.
I look forward to the ceremony each year because each of the students have learned their own lesson and each of them have something to teach us. This is what makes our course unique.
Mandy Moss, Principal
The curriculum consists of 26 study topics which are focused on Jewish history. Students are required to complete 13 pieces of writing related to the topics. Open discussion and critical thinking are an integral part of the program. Excursions to the Holocaust Museum and the Jewish Museum are also included in the curriculum. In addition the children also have an hour of Hebrew each week where they learn to read, write and speak Hebrew.
All Jewish festivals are observed and celebrated together with the whole school. Parents and extended family also form a vital part of these occasions.
1. Six Stages of Human Belief
2. Jews - from Abraham to Peoplehood
3. Laws of the Bible (10 Commandments and Social Justice)
4. The Role of the Prophets
5. The Sages, Hillel, Akiva and others (Pirkei Avot)
6. Destruction of the Temple
7. The Greek rule/Heilenism/Macabean revolt
8. The Roman Empire - Persecution
9. Wanderings, Persecutions, Expulsions -Dispersion through Europe
10. Jews in Spain -The Golden Age, Inquisition, Expulsion
11. The Cossacks, Chmielnicki Pogroms
12. The False Messiahs
13. Chassidism - Israel Ba'al Shem Tov
14. The Mitnhaggedin - Opposition to the Chassids
15. The Haskalah - Enlightenment, Moses Mendelson
16. Other Philosophers - Rambam, Spinosa
17. Jewish life in Poland (shtetl, Yiddish/Hebrew, Culture and Community)
18. Social Movements (Socialism, Bund)
19. National Movements (Folkism, Zionism, Nationalism)
20. Mass Migration to the New World - West Europe, America, Australia
21. The rise of Nazism, Anti-Semitism
22. The Holocaust
23. Establishment of the State of Israel
24. Jews in the Diaspora
25. Jews in Australia
The Jewish Community School Bar/Bat Mitzvah course is a five term program that is essentially the celebration of community bonds. The ceremony recognises that a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a milestone in the life of a Jewish child that marks thetransition from childhood into adolecence. We celebrate the growth of the child and the continuity of the community.
I believe the Bar/Bat Mitzvah course and celebration is an educational and valuable experience for thirteen year old Jewish children who want to celebrate their rite of passage in a meaningful way. The year long course allows celebrants to develop critical thinking, learn about Jewish history, organise their time, meet schedules and most importantly celebrate their milestone as a group within the Jewish community. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching the students and observing them develop as confident celebrants.
Bronia Koperszmidt, Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher 1998-2000
We are proud parents of graduates from the BBM course of 1998. The 15 month course was a learning, helping and sharing experience not only for the students but for the families as well. Specific tasks like creating a "family tree" turned into a meaningful family project.
Throughout the BBM course the families of the students met on a regular basis to discuss the student's progress and to plan the BBM ceremony. These meetings enhanced the cohesion of the group and were a catalyst for establishing close relationships that have continued since the BBM ceremony. As parents of students in the BBM course we took advantage of the class outings to the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Museum.
We also went many times to the Jewish Library to assist in obtaining reference books once the final topics of study were chosen by the students. The contents of the course provided the students with an in depth and meaningful understanding of Judiasm and Jewish history. This knowledge has allowed the students to find their identity as a Jew in modern day society.
Norm Black
Doing my bar mitzvah through the Saturday School was a wonderful experience. I was able to study the history of the Jewish people from a perspective that made sense to me, and I developed a positive Jewish identity. I think it is very important, for Jewish kids to be able to have a bar/bat-mitzvah, which means something to them, and helps them grow as people. Pablo BraiL Class of 1993.
My bat mitzvah at Saturday School was something I enjoyed very much. I learnt so much about the Jews in every area, and it fulfilled me as a Jew. It may seem like a lot of work now, but when the day comes, you realiset hat it was all for the best, and that you really enjoyed it. It was an excellent experience. Vanessa Brait Class of 1997.
My Bar/Bat Mitzvah started off in the classroom with four other students and a teacher, none of whom I really knew. I ended that year with four very special friends and a teacher who also became a friend. I had general knowledge of Jewish history and I had memories I know I will never forget. Sharing the learning made the year extra special and I think it is an experience everyone should have. Hayley Black Class of 1998 I graduated from the barmitzvah course last year. Our group was small, 4 people only. We all became very close. Sometimes it was challenging, sometimes it was hard but mostly it was fun. I learnt a lot about the history of the Jewish people and for the first time the it wasn't just facts, it was something that meant something to me. No, I didn't become a man on the 5th of December 1999. It took me all year. Milo Adler-Gillies Class of 1999