Shannon Richards's As A Bat Mitzvah

“The open cities ceased, in Israel they ceased, until I Deborah arose; I arose as a mother in Israel.” (Judges 5:7) Deborah was a woman whose strength, wisdom, independence and devotion to G_d broke through societal barriers to help her people through times of struggle into decades of peace. In our modern era, many young people wonder how the stories of the Tanakh could possibly relate to issues with which they are dealing. However this depiction of Deborah inspires women to be resilient and faithful in their connection to God and through these strong values, Deborah continues to be a relatable role model especially to young women as they journey to become a Bat Mitzvah. Young Australian, Shannon Richards will explore this concept as she attempts

Hebrew for Daughter of the Commandment, A Bat Mitzvah ceremony is a formal occasion which can contain readings from the Torah, chanting and a deliverance of sermon on the chosen torah passages. (Alperin, 2015) As a Bat Mitzvah is a formal ceremony not a religious necessity, many women have forgone the opportunity as it was seen as inappropriate for a Jewish woman to participate in religious practices in communal places. (American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2015) However since the 20th century, judaically educated women occupy a much stronger position in the Jewish community and it is common practice for young women to become Bat Mitzvahs through public displays of religious responsibility. (The Jewish Federations of North America, 2014) Without contextual characters such as Deborah, breaking and redefining the gender roles of women, Jewish ladies of today may not have the strength nor the courage to break traditional social framework and thrive to be true daughters of the

She defies all expectations of women in her era, with her courage and faith shinning above all else. In th e21st century, women of the Jewish faith hold a significantly stronger position in the Jewish faith. Even with modern technology and modern issues, we are still able to connect and relate to Deborah as a human being. Values of courage, strength and faith are everlasting and Deborah show us as Jewish women what it means to be strong in your connection to G_d. She is a true inspiration and is extremely relevant to young women as they become Bat mitzvahs, as she shows what it means to be responsible for your religious values and adherence to the