by Grace Araujo Kolman.

Created on: May 20, 2008

THE NIGHT before was a difficult one for Paula. She had been preparing herself for this moment for many months: constant readings of the Torah, learning prayers in Hebrew, and of course, a beautiful dress waiting in the closet for the magical day of her Bar Mitzvah. On the other hand, this teenage girl still has some doubts about the guest listing: is God invited for this big party? You might be asking yourself if Paula at the age of twelve is really worried about it. Many parents would be surprised by their own children spirituality, and how they do concern about it, even if they have ability to express it clearly. This is indeed a joyful moment for your daughter, when she will be presented to the Jewish community of faith and finally take charge of her path as a Jew, confirming her faith and commitment to God.

Bat Mitzvah is not part of the Bible tradition. Great Jews in the ancient Judaism were never bar/bat mitzvah: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah or Moses, among others. The father of bat mitzvah was Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, also the one who initiated the Reconstructionist Judaism. Rabbi Kaplan wanted his oldest daughter Judith to have her rite of passage as any other boy. Have being introduced in the United States in 1922, bat mitzvah is now a part of Jewish religious life in most Conservative and Reform congregations in Europe, Israel, South America and throughout the world.

There are several lessons that a teenage can learn through this Mitzvah, which means good deeds and the joy of being God's child in this earthly life. Here some of the gifts your daughter will receive by her bat mitzvah celebration:

Discipline during the period when she is taking the Torah lessons and preparing herself to be presented to the synagogue, she will have to develop lots of discipline, which will help her in the future life as an adult.

Moral endurance the religious study will help her to face tough moral questions very common at this age. So it's very important that you as parents are able to show strength in your own beliefs.

All this make bat mitzvah ceremony a DAY to CELEBRATE! When planning the party for your daughter, let her be involved in all the details from the guest list to the food. Having her deciding with you all these details, will definitely be the top excitement for your teenage girl. Most of parents concern about having a millionaire party, but what the kids really want is to enjoy this moment with their friends and family in a much uncomplicated way. The big party is usually more a way for the parents to show off than bringing their children the importance of faith and spirituality in their lives.

Achievement of a Goal the feeling of having this family project accomplished is awesome! At the time you go back home and say "I did it." Mazal Tov! You are on your own. Fly.

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