Moving Traditions

We are grateful for the safety of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the others taken hostage on January 15 from Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville, TX. We send blessings to them as well as to the effective first responders, and to the local and national leaders of all faiths who offered support and denounced hatred. As we grapple with antisemitism and extremism and work together for justice, Moving Traditions encourages Jewish educators and parents to create space for preteens and teens to process and discuss the events of the weekend.

Together with you, we are making a difference in the lives of preteens and teens across North America—which we hope comes through loud and clear in this annual report. Since 2005, Moving Traditions has empowered more than 28,000 preteens and teens by partnering with more than 500 Jewish institutions of all affiliations. In the coming year, with your help, Moving Traditions will embolden many more Jewish youths to thrive by strengthening themselves, their relationships, and our society.

Moving Traditions is adopting the term b-mitzvah in place of b’nai mitzvah in all of our materials, including changing the name of our program to the “Moving Traditions B-Mitzvah Family Education Program.” This decision is based on trends in gender fluidity and our respect for the need to continually refine our offerings so that all people feel seen and embraced by Jewish life.