California inmates celebrate a unique group bar mitzvah

SAN QUENTIN, Calif. (RNS) — Inside California’s oldest prison, on the shores of San Francisco Bay, the men sat in a row at the front of the chapel, wearing purple kippahs and identical light-blue shirts. One by one, they approached the podium and made short statements.

“I’m making a promise to never return to bloodshed or drugs,” one said. Another said, “I’m giving my life to Adonai (God) and the Jewish people.” A third added, “I want to make my ancestors proud.”

With musical accompaniment from a band called the Greater Good, the men proceeded to lead the Shabbat morning service in Hebrew, a language they were still trying to master. They donned prayer shawls and paraded a small Torah scroll around the chapel, slapping hands with members of the audience. Then each of the men chanted a few lines from the Torah to applause and shouts of “yasher koach!” (well done).

The group bar mitzvah ceremony at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center was the culmination of more than a year of study for the nine participants, who ranged in age from late-30s to mid-60s.

“The guys showed up with such presence and sincerity,” said Kiki Lipsett, a musician and b’nai mitzvah tutor who helped…