60 | SEPTEMBER 14 • 2023
when I decided I wanted to have a
bat mitzvah,” recalled Shribman.
“It was at that point when
I embarked on three years
of studying with a rabbi in
Pittsburgh and eventually became
a bat mitzvah when I felt I had
gained enough knowledge and
understanding of Judaism to the
point where I was comfortable to
take it up on my own.”
After that, Shribman said
Judaism continued to shape her
identity, joining her temple’s
choir as well as NFTY, the youth
movement of Reform Judaism.
“I enjoyed my Jewish
education,” Shribman said.
“Through it, I found my community. It gave me an outlet and an
identity.”
Shribman said it is this never-too-late message of Jewish
learning that she would like to impart to her congregants at
Temple Kol Ami.
Passionate about lifelong Jewish learning, Shribman said she
hopes to facilitate several adult learning opportunities, including
adult b’nai mitzvah. And when
it comes to interfaith families
celebrating their child’s Jewish
coming-of-age milestone, there
will be opportunities for parents
to learn together with their
adolescents.
“I know people who became
b’nai mitzvot in their 60s. It’s not
about the age, it is about being
responsible for their community
and their Judaism,” Shribman
said.
“So, if there are students in
middle school or high school
who feel they are not yet ready,
I encourage them to find
something within Judaism that
interests them.
“Learning Hebrew and studying a Torah portion are the main
components of becoming a b’nai mitzvah, but there are so many
other ways to get involved in the Jewish community. It might
take a young student a while to find their niche, but once they
find it, it can make their service and ceremony so much more
meaningful and worthwhile.”
Rabbi Natalie Shribman in front of her new congregation.
OUR COMMUNITY
continued from page 58
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New Year
Wishing you a
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