Kabbalat Torah

Kabbalat Torah is a programme and ceremony where young people aged 15-16 are able to confirm their commitment to Judaism arising from a mature personal decision. In the UK, it grew out of Liberal Judaism and therefore is generally only offered in some communities.

Kabbalat Torah, previously known as Confirmation, seeks to engage teenagers in exploring and building a positive Jewish identity as they mature and grow together – keeping them invested in their synagogues and the wider Jewish community, post B’ Mitzvah.

It is purposely undertaken at a time when it is felt students will have a more mature and personal understanding of Jewish values and are able to affirm their commitment to Judaism as a consequence of a personal decision.

It typically involves a group of students who have attended cheder/religion school taking part in a programme that encourages them to think about issues in their lives and in society as a whole, through the lens of Jewish tradition and Progressive Jewish values.

As well as formal learning – with topics including theology, ethics, history, culture, Israel and social justice – courses include volunteer projects and an active participation in the religious and cultural life of the community.

Students are also invited to participate in events with teenagers from other communities and on trips to places of Jewish interest, often forming lifelong memories and friendships.

Kabbalat Torah then culminates in a special celebratory ceremony, created jointly by the students and their rabbis and cantors. The young people lead parts of the service, read from the Torah, recite prayers and blessings, deliver speeches, and receive certificates and gifts.

Thus Kabbalat Torah is not only a celebration of Jewish knowledge and achievement, but also a declaration of Jewish faith and responsibility.

To find out more about Kabbalat Torah, your local community’s rabbi, cantor or lay leader should be your first point of contact. Please note that as Kabbalat Torah grew out of Liberal Judaism, and was not a practice in British Reform Judaism, it is only offered within some of our Progressive congregations.