What is Brit Mitzvah?

Brit Mitzvah is a Jewish ceremony marking a young person's coming of age, typically at age 13. It signifies the transition to religious adulthood, where the individual is now considered responsible for observing Jewish laws and commandments. Brit Mitzvah is a more inclusive term to refer to the ceremony for both boys and girls, or for individuals who identify as non-binary. 

The widespread practice is that shortly after a child turns 13, they are called up for an Aliyah, the ceremony of reading a portion of the Torah section of the day. On the Sabbath, there are seven main sections, plus an eighth, known as maftir, which is also connected to the reading of that day's haftorah section. Jeanne will be reading the haftorah section and the maftir. Jeanne will then deliver her D'var Torah (or speech about the weekly portion of the Torah). Jeanne will be reading from the beginning of the Torah, the first reading from Genesis in the year 5786.

About the Brit Mitzvah

Jeanne Emlyn Lauer, a.k.a. Kyle, is a rising 8th grader at ACCESS Academy, a Portland Public School for the Talented and Gifted. She loves playing Dungeons and Dragons. He is a big fan of Competitive Pokemon. In her spare time, he enjoys Live Action Role Playing (LARPing). LARP, is a form of storytelling where participants physically act out characters in a fictional setting. It's a dynamic, interactive experience where players immerse themselves in a shared narrative, often involving costumes, props, and even simulated combat.