Julia Cifaldi
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Karla Goldman
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Judaic Studies / LSA
Program:
Authors: Julia Cifaldi, Karla Goldman
Session: Session 3: 11:00 am – 11: 50 am
Poster: 58
Abstract
The Bar Mitzvah, an indispensable rite of passage within Judaism, marks the transition of young men into the realm of individual responsibility. The nuanced evolution of Bar Mitzvah celebrations over time serves as a focal point of inquiry, particularly within the socio-cultural context of Cincinnati, Ohio during the interwar and post-war periods, spanning from 1920 to 1960. Methodologically, this research endeavor undertakes meticulous examination of archival materials sourced from “Every Friday,” a periodical of Jewish provenance disseminated on a weekly basis and preserved through microfilm technology. This project involves gathering, analyzing, and mapping data on Bar Mitzvah celebrations over four decades in Cincinnati based on published notices within this serial, encompassing details such as names, addresses, synagogues, and ceremonial modalities. It yields a picture of evolving observance and evolving community trends over this time period, reflected in shifts and the data and a spatial-temporal cartography of bar mitzvah observance and geography.
