Articles and website links are provided before class and the students are ready to engage and debate (during the pandemic, we have continued the program on Zoom and the program has remained vibrant and vital). Confirmation discussions are as relevant as yesterday’s front page of the newspapers or posting on social media. Tom Barnett, skilled Confirmation teacher, and Rabbi Londy co-teach the class. The sessions are owned by the students. Their reading of current events and their discussion of these issues give the class its content and energy. Year in and year out, students say that this confirmation experience was the most formative experience of their Jewish education. One student recently said: “For the first time in my life I know how Judaism relates to my life.”

Parents are kept up to date about the program but the discussions are private and confidential. Confirmation is an opportunity to develop independent thought and opinions. We believe that one of the central values of Reform Judaism is developing the ability to question.

In addition to our weekly meetings, the students are involved in Social Justice projects and yearly, students go on a New York City trip where they have the opportunity to absorb the energy of the city’s cultural and Jewish life.