Confirmation

Confirmation is a somewhat less widespread coming of age ritual that occurs when a child is 16 or 18. Confirmation was originally developed by the Reform movement, which originally scorned the idea that a 13 year old child was an adult. The Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony was replaced with a confirmation ceremony at the age of 16 or 18. However, due to the overwhelming popularity of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the Reform movement has revived the practice. Today, most Reform synagogues encourage the practice of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at age 13.

In some Conservative synagogues, the confirmation concept has been adopted as a way to continue a child’s Jewish education and involvement for a few more years.

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