PRESS RELEASE: Judaism Your Way Opens 2023 Registration for Customizable Open Tent Be Mitzvah program

DENVER (May 24, 2023) - Registration is now live for Judaism Your Way’s 2023-2024 Open Tent Be Mitzvah cohort program. The two-year cohort experience prepares students for a distinctive, meaningful, and personally curated Be Mitzvah ceremony that focuses on helping youth in Boulder, Central Denver and South Denver discover their individual identity within a Jewish context. The ceremony is a springboard into how they want to live as Jewish adults taking on more responsibility for themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. Discounted early-bird registration closes on Thursday, June 15th. Registration will remain open through mid-summer or until classes are full, space is limited.

With the understanding that words matter, Judaism Your Way intentionally uses “Be” rather than the gender-based Bar and Bat to honor gender inclusivity. Throughout the program, students are led through Jewish teachings to develop their spiritual toolkit. In the first year of the cohort program, this includes classes on Jewish cuisine, art, outdoor activities, and a parent-only class that assists parents in supporting their children through their spiritual maturation. At the end of year one, students follow the path of learning that feels most authentic to their core values and personal connection to the Jewish faith. In the second year of the cohort program, rather than a rigid curriculum that centers on conformity, the Open Tent Be Mitzvah program encourages students to craft their own service. The program culminates in a self-designed Be Mitzvah ceremony, marking their transition to adulthood, which can be held in any location.

“Judaism Your Way was founded over twenty years ago by an interfaith couple, Don and Sue Sturm, who were seeking a more inclusive approach to Judaism. Our name guides our organization, and the Be Mitzvah program is no exception. We teach our students about the many ways of being Jewish, to empower them to find a way that is meaningful to them. Since that time, we’ve facilitated hundreds of Be Mitzvah ceremonies that we pride ourselves on for their inclusivity, and we look forward to welcoming in the next cohort,” said Rabbi Amanda Schwartz, Family Life Director at Judaism Your Way.

The organization’s recent expansion to South Denver opens the in-person programming to a new audience of applicants.

For more information and to register for the program, please visit www.judaismyourway.org/open-tent-be-mitzvah,

ABOUT JUDAISM YOUR WAY
Judaism Your Way is an open tent, embracing everyone who seeks a connection to Jewish life. Every day, Judaism Your Way shares transformative Jewish experiences and recognizes itself as part of something relevant, whole and sacred. There are many ways to be Jewish. Judaism Your Way respects and includes them all. For more information visit our website, http://www.judaismyourway.org/.