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Confirmation Program

Confirmation Class 2023

Confirmation Program

Students in the seventh through tenth grade attend our Confirmation Program on Sundays.  These classes build upon the foundation laid in the early grades.  In the Confirmation Program, our students address how to apply all that they have learned and explore how to use the information to build a Jewish life for themselves which will have meaning for them as they face the challenges of adulthood.  

With the skillful facilitation of our teachers, students wrestle with their view of God, explore different expressions of Judaism and the role of religion in our lives.  Our students explore the big questions and strive to find answers for themselves.  Group activities and discussions assist students in defining and articulating their values.  Teachers promote discussions on the issues facing teens today as well as ethical and moral issues facing society.  Teachers provide Jewish texts and source material to inform students of the Jewish values, traditions and teachings which can help students use a Jewish lens in their decision making process.

The highlight of this program is the Confirmation year.  In tenth grade, the students study with the Rabbi.  During this year, they cement the bond that has developed among them and build a special relationship with the Rabbi.  During the year, the students attend the L’Takein Seminar presented by the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism for four days in Washington D.C..  Students learn about the political issues facing our country and the lobbying process and then actually have the opportunity to lobby our legislators on Capitol Hill on the issues that they choose.  

The year culminates with the students leading the congregation in worship and sharing the synthesis of what they have learned and they affirm their intention to live Jewishly.  Confirmation is a relatively new life cycle celebration emphasizing the importance of continuing one’s formal Jewish education.

In Pirke Avot 5:24, the Ethics of our Fathers, a compilation of our sages’ sayings, Rav Judah ben Tema wrote:
  At five, one should study Scripture;
  At ten, one should study mishnah [the code of Jewish law];
  At thirteen one is ready to do mitzvot; 
  At fifteen one is ready to study Talmud [the commentary on the mishnah];  
  At eighteen, one is ready to get married;
  At twenty, one is responsible for providing for a family;
  At thirty, one is at the peak of one’s powers;
  At age forty, one is at the age of understanding;
  At age fifty, one attains the age of counsel;
  At age eighty, one attains the age of strength.

This statement encapsulates the wisdom that Jewish study is a lifelong pursuit and obligation.  Our Confirmation Program provides the opportunity for our students to continue their studies with their friends and within the nurturing structure of our Religious School.

 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM (7th-10th GRADE) SCHEDULE 2022-23

                September 2022

11          First Day of School

                               18          School

                                25           No Confirmation Classes

                  October 2022

                                      2       School

                                        9       School

                                      16     SPECIAL EVENT –DAY OF JEWISH LEARNING:  School will be at 3:00

                                       23    Confirmation Program – Family Education 9th – 10th Grade

                                       30    School

               

     November 2022

                                      6       Artist-in-Residence Program

                                   13       School 

                                    20        School

                                    27       No School

     December 2022

                                    4        School

                                 11        School

                                                Confirmation – ADL Program                

                                 18        School

                                  25        No School – Winter Break

 

                    January 2023

                                    1       No School

                                   8        School

                                    15        School

                                                  Confirmation/Adult Ed Program

                                    22          School

                                 29        School

                                           

                February 2023

                              5           School

                            12       School

                           19        No School – President’s Day Weekend

                                26       School

 

                March 2023

                              5          School

                              12        School

                                                Confirmation/Adult Ed Program

                              19       School

                               26      School

                                        

                April 2023

                             2         No School

                            9        No School – Passover

                           16        School

                            23       School

                           30 – School

 

                May 2020

                                7          School

                            14        No School – Mother’s Day

                           21        Last Day of School

 

Sun, September 24 2023 9 Tishrei 5784