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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wee 
New Year

Wishing you a 

’shanatova