The history of Confirmation as a Jewish ritual is also a lesson in the history of the Reform Movement. The ritual focus of the bar mitzvah was a source of discomfort to early reformers. They promoted an additional ceremony called Confirmation, which focused on knowledge of the principles of the Jewish faith. Early proponents of Confirmation pointed out both Biblical and rabbinic prooftexts for the public confession of faith in the Jewish tradition to strengthen claims to the Jewish authenticity of Confirmation. It was connected to the holiday of Shavuot when we celebrate the giving of the Torah.
In Germany, the most revolutionary aspect of Confirmation was its embrace of the co-education of boys and girls. The earliest report of boys and girls being confirmed together was 1811; Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, a leader of Reform Judaism in America, introduced Confirmation in the United States in 1846 in Albany, New York. Although B’nai mitzvah has been re-established as an important part of Reform Jewish ritual, Confirmation remains as an additional opportunity to step forward and validate one’s Jewish commitment. Shavuot reminds each of us that we all stand at Sinai anew each year to confirm our own faith. We are filled with hope in a future made bright by the work of our hands.
Saturday evening we celebrate the 136th confirmation here at Temple Beth-El. We hope you will join us!
Services
Under the guidance of our medical advisory committee, we have moved to an optional masking policy for worship. We will continue to watch the numbers and, in accordance with the CDC, will update the policy as necessary. With unmasking, it will be even more important to monitor yourself and to stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms or have been a close contact.to anyone with a confirmed case. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
