The B’not Mitzvah of seven area women will be Saturday, Jan. 21, marking a long process of learning at Temple Beth Israel in Pomona.

All of the women are congregants of the temple, including Dina Lane of Upland; Sarah Pruitt Spence of Pomona; Toyasha Sebbag of Upland; Renay Marcus of Alta Loma; Deborah Kummerman of Chino Hills, and Kathryn Eliana Kirui of Montclair.

B’not Mitzvah is the plural form of Bat Mitzvah, the service for a female, as opposed to a Bar Mitzvah, the same service for a male.

The service normally celebrates the “coming of age” of a Jewish child who is being recognized as an adult in the eyes of Judaism. For adults, the service is recognition of the attainment of knowledge that allows them to lead a congregation in the Shabbat morning service.

The women have prepared for the B’not Mitzvah for more than two years, studying with Melamedet Arava Talve of Claremont. They began their studies learning how to read Hebrew and then moving into understanding the liturgy and sharing their ideas on meaning.

“The women have shown an extraordinary commitment in both time and dedication to prepare to be called to the Torah,” Talve said. “They will not only lead the service but will share their understanding on what the prayers and text mean in today’s world.”

The 10 a.m. service will be led by Rabbi Jonathan Kupetz, Cantor Paul Buch and Melamedet Talve, followed by a reception in the social hall at Temple Beth Israel on Towne Avenue in Pomona.

– Submitted by Temple Beth Israel