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Confirmation

Confirmation Class of 2023

 Confirmation Class  of 2023/5783

Confirmation is an important step toward lifelong Jewish learning. This program seeks to answer students’ questions and help them experience how Jewish values help shape their own lives. The class is based on topics important to students. The confirmation class is led by Rabbi Mona Alfi.

The highlight is an immersive experience as a class with other Jewish teens either through NFTY in Israel or URJ Mitzvah Corps! To bond as a community and to defray the costs of the trip, the students together with their families perform a variety of fundraising activities. These include congregation activities such as our annual Chanukah Latke dinner, theater events, "Parent's Night Out" childcare, pizza sales, car washes, and a fabulous raffle, all marketed to the congregation.

The year culminates with a confirmation service on Shavuot, where students publicly affirm their Jewish identities, share what they have learned with the congregation, and recommit to a lifetime of learning.

The concept of confirmation began in the 1800s in Europe with Judaism's Reform movement. Confirmation provides a goal for continuing studies and permits students to explore concepts in greater depth and understanding than would have been possible at a younger age. Unlike the individual focus of the B'nai Mitzvah process, confirmation is a community of young adults confirming their commitment to Judaism and Jewish living.

Reform leaders drew a parallel between the Jewish people's acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai and Jewish confirmation students accepting the role of Judaism in their lives. Thus, it has become customary to hold confirmation ceremonies on the festival of Shavuot, which celebrates the anniversary of receiving the Torah. Confirmands conduct a service together, reading Torah and presenting their d'rashes, or teachings.

 

For information about Confirmation, please contact Rabbi Alfi at  rabbialfi@bnais.com or 916-446-4861.

Thank you for supporting the confirmation class trips!

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784