Shabbat Service and Cultural Program

Our Shabbat service.

Cultural program:

128 Jewish Journeys: TCC Parents Talk about the B’Mitzvah Program

moderated by Isabel Kaplan

The City Congregation has been guiding students through an innovative journey of self-assessment and discovery for a quarter of a century. The program was created by TCC Founder, Myrna Baron, and the service was written by Rabbi Emeritus Peter Schweitzer. As of today, 128 students have experienced the personal growth and deepening connection to their Jewish identity that has become the standard outcome of the program. Guided by mentors, who are adult members of the congregation, students work through a series of assignments which explore their family history, family values, beliefs, heroes and role models, and do 13 hours of community service. Each student chooses a topic of deep interest to them, and conducts extensive research. This process culminates in a service that celebrates the student’s work, which can be presented in a variety of formats including papers, videos, PowerPoints, and musical or other kinds of performances. Readings and songs that are related to the themes of the b’mitzvah complement the student’s work.

In tonight’s program, we will hear from five parents who will share their views of the program and talk about how they and their children benefitted from the experience.

Felicia Greenfield’s older daughter recently completed the program; her major project was on Veganism and Judaism. Her other daughter is preparing for her b’mitzvah now.

Rebecca Faulkner and Adam Lubinsky’s daughter wrote two short stories exploring Jewish identity as her major project; one story is based on a dystopian future, and one is set in the past on the Lower East Side.

Jen and David Klein have two children who completed the program. Their son wrote a comparison of Greek and Old Testament mythology; their daughter interviewed Jewish women politicians including a Congresswoman and a Supreme Court Justice.

Isabel Kaplan took over running the program 10 years ago, inspired by the experiences of her own two children and the several students she mentored. Isabel will moderate the panel as the parents discuss the high points and lasting impact of their family’s experiences in the program.

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The City Congregation is a volunteer led organization, much of our programming relies directly on our members.
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