Last Tuesday, TCA’s sixth and seventh grade mothers and daughters enjoyed a memorable inaugural meeting of their B’not Mitzvah Club. Upon entering the school lobby, moms and daughters were greeted with beautiful candle-lit tables, customized cookies, personalized journals and lots of swag.

During this first meeting, Morah Chevee Szokovski talked about what it means to become a bat mitzvah, encouraged the girls to think and write down how they define themselves, and how they are capable of changing history. The girls also discussed the three stages of our soul (birth, naming, bat mitzvah), and that although we continuously change over time, our soul remains infinite. The girls were fascinated to realize that when they shared what they knew about several famous women in history (Amelia Earheart, Rosa Park, Sacagawea, Esther the Queen, Sara Imeinu), they mostly identified them by their contributions to the world and their strength of character. No one knew or remembered any of their appearances. After the girls wrote in their journals, they traced and painted their facial profiles to create silhouette paintings. Girls and moms went home with their hands filled with swag, and their hearts and minds filled with inspiration.

Moms and daughters will continue to meet monthly throughout the year to explore relevant issues, and to familiarize themselves with Jewish women throughout Tanach. The gatherings will be interactive, informative, and inspirational. Girls and moms will connect through thought-provoking discussions, debates and projects. Everyone looks forward to these wonderful bonding opportunities for mothers and daughters to grow and learn together. TCA hopes that these gatherings will continue to empower the girls, and strengthen their Jewish identity both as individuals and as part of the entire klal Yisrael.