Introduction & Overview
Starting with our first secular bar mitzvah at the Peretz School in 1965, Pnei Mitzvah has evolved into one of our core educational programs. We offer a pluralistic, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish education for children aged 10-13 that emphasizes the humanist, progressive, and universalist aspects of our heritage. Over two years of bi-weekly sessions, Pnei Mitzvah cohorts focus on literature, language, ethics, music, art, and dance to connect with and reinterpret traditions in new ways. Although children learn about Jewish spirituality and religious history, Peretz does not seek to promote particular religious commitments or doctrines.
Peretz is an LGBTQ+ safe environment, and while we are rooted in the Ashkenazi humanist, yiddishist culture that gave birth to Peretz, Jews of all backgrounds are welcome, and the diversity of global Judaism is explored in our Pnei Mitzvah curriculum.
The name
"Pnei Mitzvah" uses the gender-neutral "pnei" (faces of) instead of "b'nei" (sons of)
There are lots of reasons why the Peretz Pnei Mitzvah program may be what you're looking for...
You are looking for an inclusive, non-dogmatic approach to Jewish culture.
Your family practices more than one faith or is not religious.
You are interested in the principle which Peretz’ founders embraced: do’ikeit or “hereness”, the idea that a Jewish life is lived here in the country where one lives, and one’s principal responsibility begins with local struggles for justice, equality, and mutual liberation.
Your child is not interested in Synagogue life.
You are looking for your child to learn in an environment which is truly open-minded and welcomes all points of view.
You are looking for a intellectually rich education that doesn’t just focus on Hebrew, Holidays and Bible stories, but teaches Jewish history, ethics, literature, culture, music, and art as well.
Torah, prayer and Israel are not the primary way your child. connects to Judaism, or your child has no connection to Judaism and you want them to find their own way into Jewish tradition and history, not have that way chosen for them.
Curriculum & Pedagogy
YEAR 1
In the first year, Pnei Mitzvah students learn pre-modern Jewish history and culture, studying the major narratives of the Hebrew Bible and being introduced to the Mishna, the Talmud, Rabbinic thought and Kabbalah. All subjects are taught as literature and their meaning and significance are examined and debated by the students, who are given space to find their own relationship to the texts. No question or thought is out of bounds.
Students also study Jewish history from the time of the closing of the Biblical canon up to the modern era and are introduced to topics like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, great Rabbis, Jewish women in history, the development of Jewish thought and religious practice, and how the Jews went from being a nomadic people to a global presence.
Year One Project
Students are asked to create a midrash — a creative expansion or reinterpretation of a narrative from the Tanakh — in any medium they choose. These imaginative projects have included a retelling of the story of Adam and Eve from the point of view of a worm in the apple, to writing and recording a song about King David using the Minecraft soundtrack.
YEAR 2
In the second year, Pnei Mitzvah students explore Judaism in the modern world. Beginning with the Jewish enlightenment (haskalah) and the fall of the ghetto walls, we examine the thought of great modern Jewish thinkers, revolutionaries, artists and scientists.
The students are introduced to Jewish film, music, art and literature of the modern period, and study modern Jewish history including Jewish political movements, the Holocaust, and the creation of the state of Israel.
The second year encourages students to go deeper with an individual Pnei Mitzvah project that they share at the Pnei Mitzvah ceremony to close the program.
Year Two Project
At the graduation celebration, students will present an aspect of Jewish culture that they connected with and wished to research and explore in whatever medium they choose. In past years, projects have taken many forms, from book reports, art projects, dances, or videos, to learning to chant the traditional haftorah. The emphasis is always on their intellectual curiosity, and learning the art and practice of learning itself.
Collective Pnei Mitzvah Ceremony
The program ends with a collective Pnei Mitzvah ceremony that honours each individual student while focusing on community. Each cohort plans their own version of the ceremony to showcase the students and celebrate their learning, which has become a highlight of the Peretz events calendar as we welcome new generations of Peretzniks.
The Pnei Mitzvah graduation ceremony is planned and organized cooperatively by the parents, with support from the Peretz Centre.
Program & Community
Participation
Pnei Mitzvah students meet approximately every other Sunday for a two hour class with their teacher, including a snack break. Classes take place at the Peretz Centre in the Kirman Yiddish Library.
Since the cultural program formally began in the early 1990s (though the first secular Bar Mitzvah took place in 1965), participants have been encouraged to take an active role in the Peretz community. The program includes service and Tikkun Olam components.
Families are also encouraged to be part of community cultural and educational life at Peretz. We welcome Pnei Mitzvah families and friends to our cultural (secular) Jewish holiday events, like our combined/condensed Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, Hanukkah celebrations, Purimshpiln (Purim plays), Passover Community Seyder, and our monthly Fraytik tsu Nakht cultural shabbes potluck dinners.
Join the Next Pnei Mitzvah Cohort
Get notified when registration opens
Two-year cohorts for the Pnei Mitzvah program typically start each year in the fall (September/October).
Sign up to get a notification when registration opens for the next Pnei Mitzvah cohort by filling out the contact form here.
You can also hear about all our upcoming events and programs by subscribing to the Peretz Centre's bi-weekly newsletter here