Rise Up: Bat Mitzvah at 100 – National Commemoration

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Co-Sponsored by SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All, Jewish Women’s Archive, The Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan

100 years ago, SAJ held the first Bat Mitzvah in America. When Judith Kaplan sat in the men’s section at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ) and recited verses in the men’s section of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), she had no idea that her actions would change the course of history.

The first Bat Mitzvah sparked a revolution of egalitarianism and inclusion in Jewish life.  As increasing numbers of girls ascended the bimah, girls and women began to expect –– even demand –– access to ritual honors and synagogue leadership, and to begin to dream that they could have an equal voice as men in their community and beyond. The first Bat Mitzvah also paved the way for the celebration of people of all genders in Jewish ritual and life.

We will be joined by Dr. Carole Balin, historian and scholar on Bat Mitzvah; Rabbi Sandy Sandy Sasso, first female Reconstructionist Rabbi and author of a children’s book about Judith Kaplan’s story, Judy Leads the Way; Rabbi Joy Levitt, pioneering female rabbi and officiant of Judith Kaplan’s second Bat Mitzvah, Rabbi Tamara Cohen, Chief Program Officer at Moving Traditions. We will also feature a reenactment from “Judith Kaplan 1922”, a curated Instagram Story project about Judith Kaplan. Moderated by Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann of SAJ.