CONFIRMATION
The American Heritage College Dictionary, copyright 2004, defines confirmation as the following: 1a. The act of confirming. 1b. Something that confirms, verification. 2. A Jewish ceremony marking completion of a young person’s religious training.
On Friday evening, June 10, 2011, 7:30 PM, four of our students will participate in their Confirmation ceremony. Tyler D’Agostino, Melissa Dell’Amore, Steven Masciale, and Ariana O’Brien will become part of the rich history of Confirmation.
Did you know that Confirmation is a relatively new life cycle event? In Germany, in the 1800s, the Reform Judaism movement instituted Confirmation based on the belief that a 16 year old is more equipped than a 13 year old to affirm his or her identity. The first US confirmation took place in 1846. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise officiated at the ceremony in a Reform congregation in Albany, NY.
I was confirmed. I remember going to classes with our rabbi. I remember enjoying my experiences with the rabbi, as did all of the class, so we petitioned and got him a WMCA Good Guy sweatshirt. Do I bring back memories for anyone?
Confirmation ties into the holiday of Shavuot. What better time to affirm one’s faith then when we, the Jewish people, received the Torah from God? Even our temple’s name, Sinai Reform Temple, celebrates this moment in history more then 3500 years ago when we, The Jewish people, stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah from God.
Shavuot is also one of the three pilgrimage holidays along with Sukkot and Pesach. It is sometimes referred to as the Day of the First Fruits or the Holiday of the Grain Harvest. It marks the end of the spring harvest. Historically, the people of Israel would come to the temple in Jerusalem with their harvest offerings. Today, we tend to eat dairy products, especially cheesecake and blintzes. Mazel Tov to Tyler, Melissa, Steven, and Ariana on this life cycle event. Please join us on their Shavuot Shabbat evening and help them celebrate this moment in time. Mazel Tov also to Michael Sycoff who will become a Bar Mitzvah on June 18.
Also, even though it’s only June. The religious practice committee is gearing up for the High Holy Days. You will be receiving information over the summer. Watch for it!
Have a great summer everyone! We’re not closed! Come join us every Friday night!
B’Shalom!
Eileen
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