The Staenberg Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) is a space that represents growth. It’s where children grow into themselves, where grandparents grow wiser, where infants turn into toddlers, and where discovery blossoms year-round. In Jewish life, there is a key milestone that represents a transformative moment of growth: the B’nai Mitzvah. “Bat Mitzvah” and “Bar Mitzvah” translate to “daughter and son of the commandments.” Simply put, a B’nai Mitzvah is a rite of passage in a Jewish person’s life because it signifies that an individual has reached an age where they are ready to be held responsible for Jewish religious obligations.  

In the modern era, a B’nai Mitzvah is celebrated in style with a combination of showing off both torah recitation and cool dance moves. Even narratives and films have been created to honor the epic B’nai Mitzvah. For instance, You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah showcases the main character, Stacy, who struggles with the pressure of throwing a perfect party while navigating complicated friendships, feelings for her Hebrew School crush, and a shifting identity. B’nai Mitzvahs are a recognition of a young person’s growth, and at JCC Denver, they are as commonplace as Adam Sandler telling a joke. 

Sylvie Nieder’s Bat Mitzvah was an experience to end all others. Sara, Sylvie’s mom, explained how the JCC Denver was the perfect space for it. She says, “We don’t have a connection to a particular synagogue at the moment, and we wanted to make [the Bat Mitzvah] our own without having to follow by any rules or protocols. We wanted a place that feels a little more ‘Jewish’ than just a random event space and the JCC has always been a part of our lives. It was a perfect blank slate.” Sara shares how she grew up at the J and how her children have as well. The Nieders are graduates of Jewish Baby University. Their son is a regular basketball player and alumni of the Maccabi Games while their daughters enjoyed summers at Ranch Camp. It was a natural fit to choose the JCC for Sylvie’s celebration this past June. Sara explains that the day was incredibly special when “Gora Gora played at the reception. The brass instruments played the hora in the parking lot, and we had appetizers and drinks out there while the Social Hall was transformed from the ceremony to the reception. Sylvie is a musician, so it was super cool that she got to play the drums with the band. We were able to be creative without abiding by any rules.” Not only was Sylvie’s Bat Mitzvah at the JCC Denver, but Sylvie’s sister Molly had her Bat Mitzvah at JCC Ranch Camp and two of their cousins had their Bar Mitzvah’s by the JCC pool and on the basketball court respectively. Sara reminisces that she “felt so proud. Sylvie rose to the occasion and performed beautifully. She worked so hard.” 

Although a blip in time, a B’nai Mitzvah represents a unique moment in a young person’s life – they are growing out of their childhood self and stepping into who they will become.  They may choose an elegant party in the Social Hall with cocktail tables and florals, a poolside soiree, or perhaps a parking lot jam with a Klezmer music band. It’s sure to be as unique as they are and the JCC Denver will be a safe and comfortable place to usher them as they grow up into grownups.