Thirteen women from in Wantagh recently celebrated Bat Mitzvahs that they did not get to experience as youngsters.
The women worked toward the Jewish tradition the past two years with the clergy of Temple B’nai Torah including Rabbi Marci Bellows, Cantor Steve Sher and Director of Religious Education Deanna Pasternak. Traditionally it was the male member of the family who became a Bar Mitzvah, the celebration of the coming of age, until recent years when girls took part in the tradition at age 13. The Bat Mitzvah, which is the female equivalent to the Bar Mitzvah, involves conducting a Shabbat service, reading from Torah and addressing the congregation.
The 13 women who celebrated their Bat Mitzvah at Temple B’nai Torah on May 19 included Nancy Baker, Marcia Bernstein, Diane Derby, Lynda Goldman, Sharon Katz, Tina Levine, Rhonda Miller, Debbie Olson, Pamela Pomeranz, Wendy Ser, Fradell Serpe, Stacey Spiller and Alaina Walsh.
