The term Bat Mitzvah literally means “Daughter of the Commandment." When a Jewish girl reaches her 12th or 13th birthday, she is recognized as attaining the maturity needed to observe the commandments and to participate in all aspects of the Jewish community. To mark this religious milestone, Temma will be called up to the Torah for an Aliyah for the first time. Temma will lead parts of the service, and chant from the Torah. In addition, Temma will deliver a D’var Torah, sharing her thoughts about the meaning of this week’s Torah portion as well as what this momentous occasion means to her. This day is not simply a culmination of years of study; it is the starting point of a more mature understanding of our faith and heritage and an ongoing commitment to Judaism.