Virtually all synagogues in Detroit joined today in announcing that, effective with the start of the next school year in September, candidates for Bar Mitzvah in their congregations will be required to have completed five years’ minimum attendance at a regular Hebrew school.
The 23 synagogues, including several in Detroit suburban sections, joined with the United Hebrew Schools and the Yeshiva Beth Yehuda in announcing the longer period of Jewish school attendance. They pointed out that this will mean that Jewish boys will be required to start their Hebrew schooling not later than the age of eight years.
The announcement said the pioneering step was being taken to make the Bar Mitzvah ceremony a truly significant occasion in the Jewish education “of our children and to make the Bar Mitzvah a truly meaningful initiation into their religious obligations as responsible Jewish citizens of our community.” Another objective was given as that of preparing the children “for the pursuit of higher Jewish studies.”
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