Beneath the Surface

Beneath the Surface
A Program for Bat Mitzvah Girls and their Mothers
March 11 - 25, 2012
$118.00
This three-session Sunday afternoon program is an opportunity for mothers and daughters to explore the transition of becoming bat mitzvah. Moms and girls will learn and share separately and together and will create a personal ritual to mark this unique time in their lives.

Class Dates: Sundays, March 11, 18, 25 from 3:00 - 5:30pm.

Past participants described the program as "a peaceful oasis in time to focus on and celebrate our relationship to each other, to Judaism, and to this moment in time."

Participation fee: $118 per family. Scholarships are available.

Temple Reyim families - please click to register at right and choose "offline" for your special fee.

Note: immersion is not part of this program; if desired, individual appointments may be scheduled following the program.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 7

For more information, please contact Lisa Berman, Education Center Director, LisaB@MayyimHayyim.org, 617-244-1836 x205.




Session Content

· Discussion of coming of age rituals and experiences

· Exploring mikveh as a lens for understanding transitional rituals; how to create a personal ritual

· Siyyum (completion) -- opportunity for expression of the personal ritual that participants have created, creation of personal midrash to mark this time


Participation guidelines

· Girls should be in 6th or 7th grade; program is geared to (but not limited to) those who are pre-bat mitzvah.

· Participation is for girls with their mother or other adult female relative.

· Class will be limited to 8-10 mother-daughter pairs.

· Mothers of any (or no) religious background who are raising Jewish child(ren) are warmly welcomed.


What Past Participants Said
"I was seeking time to give attention to each of us – mother and daughter – especially for my daughter at this change moment. I wanted to celebrate both where we’ve come from and what our vision is moving forward – to celebrate my daughter becoming a Jewish adult woman."

"I was looking for a space, in time and emotionally, to focus with my daughter on becoming a bat mitzvah. That space was beautifully created and nurtured here at Mayyim Hayyim. We also learned more than I had expected about the ritual of the mikveh and ritual in general."

"Creating the ritual and doing the ritual made more concrete the intention that we came in with to mark this moment in time. Because the facilitators created such a safe, respectful place, the discussions with the other mothers were open, honest, and fulfilling."

"I had fun spending time with my mom and thinking about things that were meaningful to us."

"Me and my mom talked about a lot of things I needed to talk to her about, but never found the time."