Program

Bat Mitzvah

Program Details

During UJEB’s year-long Bat Mitzvah program, girls develop their own emerging identities as young Jewish women. They learn about and experience social action, Jewish history, religion, traditions and culture, as well as their connection to Israel. Through partnerships with Stand Up, the Jewish Museum and the National Council of Jewish Women Australia (NCJWA Vic), the girls explore the vibrant Jewish world through a variety of lenses. The program culminates in a beautiful ceremony with family and friends.

The classes are held, weekly, on Tuesday, during the school term from 4.30 till 6.00 pm in the Caulfield area (except for school holidays, public holidays and Jewish festivals). The total cost of the Bat Mitzvah Program is $1280 (broken down into 4 term payments of $320 per term). There is also an additional cost for the ceremony, which is kept to a minimum.

TERM 1

Israel & Torah

Classes explore our historic and current connections to our culture and our homeland through people, events and food. The girls also delve into the Parasha that falls on their 12th birthday, and relate it to their own journey.

TERM 2

Social Action

Run by Stand Up, this innovative social justice experience focuses on Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and understanding social justice from a Jewish lens. Students emerge with a better understanding of their own Jewish identity, the world and their own power as future changemakers.

TERM 3

History & Culture

In term three the classes meet at the Jewish Museum of Australia, and focus on Jewish history, art and culture. Highlights include an exploration of the Australian Jewish story and a roots project investigating the girls’ individual family stories of migration and settlement.

TERM 4

Jewish Women

The final term at NCJWA (Vic) explores a wide variety of influential roles that Jewish women have undertaken throughout the ages. The participants meet with inspirational Jewish women who are active in making a difference in the Jewish and broader community.

Who should apply for the UJEB Batmi Program?

To watch the recording of the information session please email ujeb@ujeb.org.au and we will share a link to the recording across.

Testimonials

We have been thrilled with the program. Each term has a different focus and as a result, the students have a well-rounded journey into their Bat Mitzvah and what it means to be Jewish. They explored their families through their roots project and explored Jewish history through the partnership with the Jewish Museum as well as social justice which is an essential part of Judaism. Haleli has come home with fabulous stories, made connections and loved her teacher. We had lots of recommendations from previous UJEB graduates that the Batmi Program would be a great program for us and we are really happy with our decision.

We recommend the UJEB Batmi Program as it has brought a sense of community and friendship to Ayla. She has made some beautiful friends throughout the year and enjoying the social side of things as well as learning about being a strong independent Jewish woman. We interviewed Ayla's Zaida and it was phenomenal to learn about his childhood and how he grew up in Russia. It was just so fascinating. Ayla loved learning about the artefacts and where we have come from as Jewish people. Also creating a family tree and looking back on 6 generations of family with the assistance of the Jewish Museum of Australia. It has blown my whole family away and we have now decided to interview the three other grandparents.

“Almost a year ago I knew nothing about my parasha, family history or traditions but I have now completed the UJEB bat mitzvah program and look to the future as a Jewish woman in the modern-day world. Throughout the 4 terms I’ve enjoyed so many things with some incredible girls, from learning how the Torah is written to playing basketball with kids in housing estates. UJEB camp was absolutely fantastic and the Jewish museum was the coolest place to discover and learn at. Meeting Jewish female role models, from around Victoria, who are making the world a better and brighter place was inspiring. I have loved every single part of this year’s program and I’ll take so much out of it. It will have an impact on myself and those around me for many years to come.”

“The UJEB Bat Mitzvah program caters for varied levels of observance and understanding of Judaism. Our daughter learnt and grew in maturity over the program. We loved the exposure to so many different facets of our culture, and the opportunity to give back to the community, with her peers.”

"It was quite an emotional experience cooking with my granddaughter, Eve, passing on family recipes. Given the mixed backgrounds in my son's family, I did not think I would ever experience this. These recipes were passed on to me in the same way while cooking with my mother and her sisters. Eve was so enthusiastic and interested in the three hours we cooked together, eagerly participating while assiduously taking notes. She then set the Seder table. We had the most delightful, closer afternoon together sharing this experience. Such a wonderful task set by her Bat Mitzvah program - thank you."

UJEB has now guided our third daughter through her Bat Mitzvah and we’re so happy and grateful for UJEB’s passion and genuine love of Judaism that the girls all felt and shared in. It has set them up with a wonderful foundation for their lives.

UJEB's Bat Mitzvah

Registrations are now open for our 2024 program. To sign up, please head to our enrolment platform. To find out more about the program contact our Bat Mitzvah Coordinator at ujeb@ujeb.org.au or 03 9523 6844. Note that places in the program are limited.