14
Women and especially children have always taken part in the festivities surrounding most of the holidays in the Jewish calendar.15
Decorating the SukkahOctober, 1988
Bloomfield, New Brunswick
16
The Hon. Erminie Cohen lighting the Chanuakah menorahDecember, 2000
Wellington Row, Saint John, New Brunswick
17
Where once males might have been favoured in performing some observance or prayers, the trend has been for a more equal distribution of these rites.18
Francine Goldsmith lighting the Chanukah menorahDecember, 2001
Wellington Row, Saint John, New Brunswick
19
Balcony of Shaarei Zedek Synagogue1950
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
20
Traditionally women did not pray with men in Synagogue and were kept apart, either in a separate balcony or by a divider. Conservatism did away with the division of sexes in the Synagogue. Women are now a part of the service and the ritual in Saint John.21
Rose Green at prayer, photo taken by son Maurice1960
Saint John, New Brunswick
22
Despite the changes, prayer and the personal observance of faith have always been important to Jewish women.23
Confirmation class, 1950s1955
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
24
Under traditional Orthodox practice, the Bar Mitzvah of a thirteen-year old male child was the first major event in his life, marking his passage into adulthood and full participation in the religious life of the community as a man. The passage of his twelve-year-old sister (girls mature faster) into womanhood was not accorded anything resembling the same status. A Bar Mitzvah was a great honour for a family and most families put on a great celebration of the event. Girls tended to have what was termed a "confirmation" where all the girls in the community who had reached the age of twelve were presented before the Congregation at a joint ceremony.25
Bat Mitzvah Tamara Levine1982
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
26
The evolution away from strict Orthodoxy towards a more equal observance under Conservatism has meant that since the 1980s, girls upon reaching the age of twelve are given the same status as their brothers as a Bar Mitzvah. Girls now undergo the same ritual as boys.27
Invitation for Candace Levine's Bat Mitzvah1985
Carleton Street, Saint John, New Brunswick
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