General Information / Eligibility & Standards / Steering Committee / Curriculum  / 

New York Trip / Confirmation Dinner & Service

Introduction

Confirmation is a very special year in the life of a religious student. For most students, it marks the last year of formal Jewish education. Ideally, it also marks the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning and of a commitment within the Jewish community.

Both the Confirmand and his/her family may not know exactly what to expect of this unique year. Many questions arise, such as: What will be studied? How is the school year different from all others? What is expected of each student? Is there a ritual/service ceremony in honor of the completion of religious school? Is there a special celebration? What is expected of me and my family?

We have prepared this guide in an effort to answer these and other questions. We hope it will be helpful to you. If you should have additional questions, please contact the school office.

Confirmation at Temple Beth Ami

Confirmation is a recent addition to the cycle of Jewish observance and celebration. In the middle of the l9th century, the founders of the Reform movement felt that the ritual of Bar and Bat Mitzvah did not speak to the social and spiritual realities of an enlightened, non‑Orthodox European Jewry. They also were dedicated to a level of Jewish education for young people which required study beyond the age of thirteen. Consequently, many of these congregations created an extended and sophisticated program of study and a celebration of its conclusion. Today, even while most Reform congregations have re‑established Bar and Bat Mitzvah in a manner appropriate to our Jewish communities, Confirmation has become an integral part of the life of Reform congregations and of many Conservative congregations, as well.

At Temple Beth Ami, Confirmation is viewed as a concentrated program of study and experience which prepares our young people to formulate an adult approach to Judaism, to the Jewish community and to the application of Jewish values to the difficult challenges of the adult world. We find that the conceptual framework for this understanding in the Hebrew term for Confirmation ‑‑ KABBALAT TORAH, or, "acceptance of the Torah". The goal of this program is to enable the students to incorporate Torah ‑‑Jewish teachings in the broadest sense ‑‑ into their adult lives and into their decision making process. This ideal is further re‑enforced by the symbolism and significance of Shavuoth, the festival which commemorates the giving of Torah at Mt.Sinai, and the time at which Confirmation is celebrated.

Confirmation represents the capstone of the current program of formal religious education at Temple Beth Ami. It is a curriculum which begins in Eighth grade and culminates in a special Tenth Grade experience, and one in which we hope every student will participate. Therefore, substantial congregational resources are expended on behalf of the Confirmation program. This includes a significant involvement on the part of the Rabbis, Cantor, Director of Education, as well as the Confirmation Coordinator and our master teachers.

A Jewish education at Temple Beth Ami which does not extend through Confirmation must be viewed as incomplete.

Eligibility

Any Temple Beth Ami Religious School student who has successfully completed his/her education through Grade 9 may enroll in the l0th grade Confirmation class. Upon satisfactory completion of the l0th grade Confirmation program, the student becomes eligible to participate in the Confirmation service and to become a Confirmand.

If a student has missed either 8th or 9th grade, he or she may petition the Religious School Committee for reinstatement. Reinstatement is conditional upon completion of a special course of independent study.

Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to the Director of Education and the Religious School Committee.

Families of Confirmands must be current in their financial obligations prior to the Confirmation Service. Any questions should be directed to the Financial Secretary or the Executive Director.

Standards and Requirements

Confirmands participate in a unique and special learning program. They work closely with the Rabbis, Cantor, Director of Education and Upper School staff in a unique curriculum presentation that strives to build a feeling of community among the students through the interaction of the program and its informal approach to education. Issues relate to the students, both as teenagers and as Jews. Emphasis is placed on individual commitment to take part in discussions and complete work assignments including homework. In order for the program to be meaningful and rewarding, certain criteria and standards have been set.

ATTENDANCE at and participation in all classes and activities, including special projects, class dinners, the New Yorktrip and Temple/Community programs are required.

Everyone is required to attend at least 80 percent of the classes of the calendar year. At the discretion of the faculty, some absences may require make-up assignments. Confirmation meets Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m.and usually begins with a brief tefillah (prayer service) in the Chapel.

The readings, writings and discussions that take place within each two-hour session are critical to the entire process. While most sessions are self?contained, each session builds on previous classes. Therefore, absences will require make?up work so the student can keep up with the class and curriculum. Frequent (more than 3) or regular absences for any reason, may require special assignments.

ALL CONFIRMATION CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE LAST TUESDAY IN MARCH IN ORDER TO TAKE PART IN THE CONFIRMATION CEREMONY.

Invitations will be distributed when all requirements are completed.

SHERUT L'AM*PROGRAM requires each Confirmand to donate ten (10) hours of volunteer time over the school year to the Temple, school or Jewish community (a maximum of five (5) hours can be done for Temple Beth Ami). Volunteer opportunities must be discussed in advance with the Staff in order to plan hours and make arrangements.

The Steering Committee is made up of parents of the Confirmands who wish to participate in the planning and decision-making processes of Confirmation year. The Steering Committee works with the Confirmation Coordinator to organize the many activities that surround the Confirmation. Every family is welcomed and encouraged to become part of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee is responsible for the following (and additional areas as they arise):

• plan the family dinner
• order invitations
• order flowers for the bima and Confirmands
• plan the Oneg
• order class pictures
• purchase gifts for the Temple and teachers.

Most of these plans are discussed in advance with the Confirmands as it is believed that they should be involved in the planning of their Confirmation.  The Steering Committee will be given guidelines and guidance at the beginning of the year, compiled from the experiences of previous years.

Each year the Confirmation class schedules a weekend retreat in New York City. This is a unique opportunity for the Confirmands to come together for a very different educational and social experience strengthening their feeling of community.

Our students are given a tour of both Jewish and secular New York. Some of the exciting activities planned are a boat ride to visit Ellis Island; a visit to the Eldridge Street Synagogue, the first house of worship built in Americaby Jews from Eastern Europe; Shabbat services at two unique synagogues; a Broadway show; an afternoon with the Lubavitch of Brooklyn; and a tour of the Lower East Side.

The group departs early Friday morning and return Sunday evening. All accommodations and most meals are arranged in advance.

The goal of our confirmation curriculum is to provide an opportunity for students to engage in challenging discussion and careful examination of the basic elements of Jewish belief and identity. This is done with the intention that they become better ready to meet the challenges of individual Jewish life on the Campus and beyond.

The outstanding characteristics of the Confirmation Program are the structure and content of the curriculum. On one hand, students have the opportunity to engage the rabbis of our Congregation in study and discussion. On the other hand, they participate in a series of courses which involve experiential learning and hands-on activities.

Guided by our Clergy, the students follow a course of study and discussion which focuses on bringing together concepts and ideas to which students have been exposed during their religious education. This allows them to formulate a personal system of belief and understanding necessary to meet the challenges of being a Jew in our secular society. This is accomplished through a variety of approaches which emphasize small group interactions with the Rabbis.

The courses take full advantage of the involvement of the entire Confirmation staff, including the participation of Phyllis Greene. The topics addressed are those which are of current concern to the students and which will become more relevant as they begin their college careers. Some topics might be:

• Substance Abuse and Self-Esteem
• Jewish Life on Campus
• Israel and Me
• Social Justice
• To Be a Jew in the World

Each topic is an appreciation for relevant teachings from Jewish tradition. This aspect of the curriculum is regularly augmented by guest speakers, parent/student workshops, and a weekend trip to New York.

Any changes in the guidelines or requirements will be sent to parents as well as to students. In February, parents will receive a report of their child’s progress.

Confirmation Dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat

On Sunday, June 1, 2003, after Confirmation dinner, we gather in the Sanctuary for a special ceremony in which parents are invited to physically pass the Torah scroll to their children. We call this ceremony Kabbalat Torah, literally “receiving the Torah.” By physically passing the Torah scroll from one generation to the next, we confirm our commitment to children in every generation. This ritual echoes the Jewish People’s experience of receiving the Torah at Sinai, which is during the holiday of Shavuot.

The Confirmation Service

The CONFIRMATION SERVICE offers each student the opportunity to develop and present individual creative ideas and to participate in leading the congregation’s worship. The service is always held at the time of Shavuot.

Attendance at the closing five (5) weeks of confirmation is required for all students. These classes are devoted to the preparation of the service by the students and staff.

Several rehearsals are held in the spring prior to the service, during Tuesday night’s scheduled Confirmation classes. All students are required to attend all rehearsals, especially the final rehearsal.

STUDENT DRESS

Students are expected to dress appropriately for leading the service: Boys: Suit or Jacket and Tie, Dress Slacks and Shoes- No Sneakers

Girls: Comfortably fitting dresses with shoulders covered, appropriate hemlines (not too short), are required for standing on the bima. No pants or miniskirts are permitted.

Family Involvement

The Confirmation experience is an important and memorable one. Confirmands will want to share ideas with and get feedback on issues from their families. At various times during the year, parents will be invited to take part in special activities or classes. Family education has become a very important component of the Confirmation year.

In addition to these opportunities for enrichment together, there will be times and places where families can offer support separate from their children. Various Confirmation activities must be organized, such as the family dinner, service and Oneg, etc. (this will be discussed more fully under the section on the Steering Committee). Financial support will be needed in the form of a Confirmation fee to cover the cost of flowers, gifts, the Oneg, invitations and the family dinner.