JEM's B'nei Mitzvah Ceremony Celebrates Jewish Identity.

Oren Giorno. Photo by Hugo Houri.

Judaisme En Mouvement (JEM), the organisation of liberal synagogues in France, had the pleasure of bringing together the families of the 78 children who celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvah between January and
July 2024.

Oren Giorno, Director of JEM’s Talmud Torah – Jewish day school shared, “At the event held on Sunday, June 2, we looked back on their journey through our Talmud Torah and presented each student with a €36 Israel Bond donated by one of our community members, along with other gifts.”

“It was important for us to remind our young people that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the beginning of their community involvement, not the end. More than ever, they need to be proud of their Jewish identity, however they define it. We also want to reiterate our support for the State of Israel and Am Israel – The Nation of Israel.”

“These young people are our pride and joy, and we're counting on them to have a positive impact on our world through Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.”

JEM runs Europe's largest Talmud Torah, with an average of 140 b’nei mitzvah students per year. This was the third ceremony where the b’nei mitzvah students received a €36 Mazel Tov bond. JEM’s Administrator, André Jacquin, presented each student with their Israel Bond and a poster of the State of Israel’s Declaration of Independence at the ceremony in the large Copernic synagogue where parents, family, and teachers celebrated the students.

Jonathan Touboul highlighted the importance of Jewish unity and support for Israel in these difficult times in his address. Oren Giorno, and Stéphane Wald, Executive Director of JEM, emphasized the importance of Jewish identity, commitment and transmission of Jewish values. Elizabeth Cohen conveyed to the young group that they mattered to Israel, that the Mazel Tov bond they received was a symbol of their economic connection to the State of Israel, and that they represented Israel's hope and future.

The ceremony was followed by delightful breakfast where parents had the chance to mingle, congratulate the students and learn more about Israel Bonds.

We wish a big Mazal Tov to all of JEM’s b’nei mitzvah students celebrating this milestone of Jewish life!