In February 1965, Rabbi Jack Spiro suggested that Anshe Emeth consider instituting a ceremony of Bat Mitzvah, writing that “The ceremony is a valuable one emotionally, religiously, and socially for the new adolescent; it is just as valuable for the girl as it is for the boy.”
A few weeks later, he requested a meeting of the Rites and Practices Committee to pursue the idea. Rabbi Spiro wrote to the chair of the committee that although he had originally proposed a modest Friday evening ceremony, he was “really in favor of a full training program for the Bat Mitzvah candidate…which means that the girl would attend the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class along with the boys and undergo the same training.”
The Rites and Practices Committee met the following month, and resolved that “Bas Mitzvah be available to the daughters of members of our Congregation at the parent’s request. A Bar Mitzvah ceremony shall have precedence in the event of a conflict of scheduling the same.”
The proposal that girls be given the opportunity for Bat Mitzvah was vigorously discussed at the April Board meeting. According to Ruth Marcus Patt, who was present that evening, the idea was given a mixed reception by the Trustees. One of the older members opined that “this is what happens with all these new people joining the Temple. We have never had bat mitzvah here before, and we don’t need to begin now!”
To his surprise, the new “troublemakers” who wanted their daughters to have a bat mitzvah included some of Anshe Emeth’s oldest families. The resolution was then tabled.
It was not until a year later, on March 1, 1966, with a vote of 20 in favor and 4 opposed, that the Board of Trustees finally adopted the original resolution. Later that year, on November 4, Linda Simon, the daughter of Franklin and Elaine Simon, became the first young woman to celebrate her bat mitzvah at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple.
Anshe Emeth Service Sheet November 20, 2009 / 3 Kislev 5770
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