Epstein+Rites+of+Passage

A write of passage is an important act or event in someone’s life that marks a passage form one stage to another; a milestone in someones life. At Epstein there are many different rites of passage that we go through. For example, when you are in kindergarten you start to learn the Hebrew alphabet. Also, you have to start wearing uniform. When you get into first grade you start having half of a day in Hebrew, but most importantly you get your first siddur. You have your first big ceremony or milestone that your parents attend. Your parents decorate a siddur for you that you get to use for the rest of elementary school. This is a rite of passage because getting your first siddur shows a side of Judaism. In second grade you participate in the Berashit program where you act out what happened in the Book of Genesis. You get to show your parents what you have learned in the past year. When you get to third grade you have a ceremony for prayers. You get to read from the torah showing the troupe that you have learned and you get to sing the Hallel. Both of these are rites of passage because they show that you have learned something extra in your life and you have moved up a stage in life. One of the most important years in Epstein is the fifth grade. At the end of fifth grade you have your Gesher ceremony. You get to show your parents all of what you have learned in your past years at Epstein starting from kindergarten. It shows the progression you have gone through and how you have grown during the years. Probably the most important year is your last year eighth grade. In eighth grade you participate in several things: graduation, leaders of Maccabiah, and your trip to Israel. Since, you are the oldest in the school you get to be the leaders of Macabia. You get to make up the cheers, banner, and encourage your team. Also, you get to go to Israel for two weeks. This is a rite of passage because it shows that you are responsible enough to go out of the country. It also is a rite of passage because you have learned about Israel almost your whole life so you finally get to go. The last thing is graduation.As an eighth grader you no longer have any more years at Epstein so, the last day of school you have a big ceremony showing all that you have learned at Epstein and how much you have grown.
 * Rites of Passage **