Translated from ancient Jewish Bar-mitsva means "son of the commandment" and Bat-mitsva means "daughter of the commandment". This is a coming of age ceremony in Judaism for 13 year old boys and 12 year old girls. Having done Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva children take the responsibility of following the religious commandments. In secular life, a child is considered adult to be fully responsible for his/her activities. The religious ceremony is made in the synagogue, while in some countries secular ceremonies of initiation take place.

The Jewish Community Center Rimon has conducted for the fourth time Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva. Due to the secular character of the ceremony, not only galahs Jews were able to practice the ancient tradition. Preparation and performance of the ceremony was assigned to the Family Club Shalom, in particular to its activists Svetlana and Genadiy Nezhinskiys, Sara and Alexander Dotsenko, who are well-known experts of Jewish traditions.

The fourth in history of Community Center Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva gathered 14 teenagers - six boys and eight girls. The children and their supervisors came to the Kazakhstan Resort on Friday, 6th November. Psychologist Inna Vasiltsova conducted the training "I grow older". Volunteer Svetlana Nezhinskaya told about Bar-mitzvah and Bat-mitsva in detail. Then, the guys worked in gender groups "Ask your Supervisor", boys with Gennadiy Alekseyevich and girls with Svetlana Ivanovna.

Children met the Saturday together with their guides. Candles were lit up, blessing for bread and wine was read. During Shabbat, preparations for upcoming examinations were going in a form of games. Alexander Dotsenko, our permanent coordinator of the game "What? Where? When?", organized a game-quiz "Experts of Traditions" with interesting questions on the history and traditions of Jewish people.

Three days went quickly. On Sunday, children, their parents, guests from the Community, and representatives of mass media gathered in a big conference room. There was an examination on maturity. Smartly dressed boys in skull-caps and white shirts and girls dressed in beautiful dresses. The children answered with dignity all tricky questions asked by supervises, parents and journalists. Parents were presented with colorful albums filled by their children with drawings, citations, interesting facts about Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva. Finally, our well-known Adviser on Traditions Anna Sailyants summarized the results. She said: "You have gone through all trials with credit. Now that you are considered adults, you have taken serious responsibilities. You should be worthy of your Dads and Moms, live up to their hopes. And of course, you should be cheerful as Jews are supposed to be".

The holiday continued in the room decorated with a large banner Mar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva, balloons, and pictures on Jewish themes. About 100 people including participants and guests came for the ceremony. The official part started. Inessa Chugainova, Director of Hesed Polina congratulated the children. She wished them to be worthy of traditions of their Moms and Dads. Dancing ensemble performed a colorful dance Rainbow. The Duet of Nastya Ezhova and Nastya Ursolova performed a potpourri based on Jewish songs.

Parents also congratulated their children. Father of Sadvokas Sultanov exhorted the children to be honest, hardworking, and achieve their goals. Mother of Edita Kuftina said that the most important role for a woman is to be a mother and wished the girls to become good "aidishe mame" in future. The dancing group Yonati performed the dance Mims. The duet of Nastya Trokhimchuk and Olya Sudakova cheered everybody up with a funny sketch "Sisters".

The children, who were congratulated, fully realized that they were finally Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva. As adults, they have taken up responsibility to follow the Jewish commandments. Nobody was left aside. Finally the garland of fourteen commandments was ready!

Isaak Dvorkin, Chief Editor of Davar Newspaper, sincerely congratulated the children and presented every newly-made Jew with a gift from the Community - Torah. He said that this sacred book contains answers to any questions. Hesed Polina Director Inessa Chugainova disseminated diplomas certifying that the boys became Bar-mitsva and the girls - Bat-mitsva. Then the children were congratulated by the singing group Anakhukan. Everybody in the room sang the cheerful Jewish melodies.

Bar-mitsva and Bat-mitsva prepared a surprise for the guests, an exciting Jewish dance. When were they able to prepare it? There were no free time for them. But the dance turned out very harmonious and cheerful. The children really have grown up during these days, became more responsible.

The celebration continued with a reception. Newly-made Jews started with cakes and sweet drinks, while "old" Jews with the main course and salads. Children were laughing, parents were enjoying themselves. Traditional "Lehaim!" was repeated many times. People expressed their gratitude to the Community and its leaders for the opportunity to be Jews for those who identify themselves Jews.

Lyudmila Starodubova