Raising the Bar Mitzvah

This book is about embracing change for one of the most sacred ceremonies in Jewish tradition. Cantor Axelrod explains that the ceremony needs to be adapted to a more personal approach, connecting the original traditions to what’s most important to the student’s life. This allows a more positive path to preparing and learning about the ceremony.

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This is a book about embracing change for one of the most sacred ceremonies in Jewish tradition: the Bar Mitzvah. The current model of Bar Mitzvah training doesn’t seem to resonate with teenagers today. Cantor Matt Axelrod explains why the ceremony should be adapted to combine personal interests (art, music, sports) to the original traditions. This connection allows a more positive path to preparing and learning about the ceremony and its rich traditions. The book will challenge the status quo of the past as a new generation of Hebrew leadership emerges, and proposes to become the resource guide of choice to better prepare synagogues for reuniting students (and parents!) to the Bar Mitzvah tradition and celebration.