Confirmation 5768 - Looking Back

I have to admit, each year as we approach the Confirmation service, the professional staff gets rather nervous about whether or not we’re going to get this whole thing to come together. This year was no exception. In fact, throughout the last couple months the schedule offered us very few classes and we were more worried than usual as to how well we would be able to perform.

With that in mind, I have to say how thrilled I was with our students as they led the service with poise and their D’var Torah was thoughtful, powerful and well presented.

I think it’s fair for me to be biased, as my eldest son was not only a member of the class, but the sole representative of the male variety. We won’t mention the names of his classmates who chose not to see it through to the end. I’ve known several of these kids since I first arrived at Beth Emek. I’ve enjoyed watching them grow up and appreciate their great enthusiasm. If anyone could have pulled this off, they could.

Today, Confirmation is evolving from its original form in Reform Judaism. It originally evolved in an attempt to do away with Bar Mitzvah as the final Jewish experience before marriage. It postponed saying goodbye to our students as long as possible at that time. Now, we encourage our kids to stay involved through high school and hopefully on into college without ever having to ‘take a break’ from Judaism before returning with their own families.

I hope these amazing students will continue active engagement in the Jewish community. I know the community will benefit from all they have to offer.