Path to Confirmation

Hi, folks,

I think we had a great first Shevet session today! I’m very glad that all five guys were able to participate.

We started with a game of “Anti-Gravity Basketball.”

Today’s theme was Manhood. We set ground rules for the group which the guys agreed on and signed or initialed. We explored the “man box-“ rules for “acting like a man” that many boys and men are socialized to conform to, which can lead to “dominator culture” whereby men may disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. We discussed how this can also make it hard for people to express themselves when they question gender or sexuality.

We looked at and discussed several video clips, including Burger King “I Am Man,” SNL “Wells for Boys,” Audi “Bravery Is What Defines Us,” and “Cool Guys Don’t Look at Explosions.” Each of these video clips portray male stereotypes, and we considered what makes sense to us about them and what does not.

We talked about what is means to be a mensch, including whether someone questioning gender can still be a mensch (unanimous agreement).

I told a Jewish folktale about a king and his son, who learns a lesson about manhood.

We ended the session in our space with a drum circle, each guy using a Middle Eastern drum called a tof (or dumbek), then into the Oneg Room for some ga-ga.

I hope your child will share some details with you, to explain any of the things I’m describing above, if you’d like to know more.

Next week the theme will be Wisdom.

L’Shalom,

Steve