UPCOMING EVENT
SPONSORED THURSDAY MAR 17
7 P.M. E.T. Virtual/In-Person 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.
The National Commemoration of 100 Years of Bat Mitzvah in America, a multi-access event on Zoom and at SAJ, 15 West 86th Street, features Dr. Carole Balin, historian and scholar on Bat Mitzvah; Rabbi Sandy Sasso, first female Reconstructionist Rabbi and author of a children’s book about Judith Kaplan’s story; Rabbi Joy Levitt, pioneering female rabbi and officiant of Judith Kaplan’s second Bat Mitzvah; Rabbi Tamara Cohen, Chief Program Officer at Moving Traditions; as well as Congressman Jerrold Nadler and City Councilwoman Gale Brewer.
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