Though this ceremony has not been for centuries, or even decades, it is now marked in history. As you may know, Judaism has coming of age ceremonies called the Bar or Bat Mitzvah for boys and girls. But what of those who cannot conform to their biological age?

For our fellow transgender Jews, Rabbi Tsipi Gabai performs a ceremony for Tom Sosnik to commemorate his transition from a girl to a boy. Rabbi Gabai says that the ceremony was a mixture between a Bar Mitzvah and a Brit Milah (a circumcision ceremony).

“In Judaism, rituals are there to mark important transitions,” Gabai said about the service. “I wanted it to not only be a celebration, but helpful in marking a point for Tom and for his friends.”

Rabbi Gabai recited the she’asani b’tzalmo, a blessing that thanks God for making the worshipper in God's image. She told a story of the Ba'al Shem Tov, the founder of Hassidism who protects people from evil eye, she spoke about the Talmud and how everyone has three names: the one their parents give them, the one their friends give them and the most important one: the one they earn for themselves. Using the Hebrew phase that welcomes a baby boy at his brit milah, People welcomed Tom to his new life by saying "Baruch Habah" three times. Tom and his family recited the Shehechiyanu prayer, thanking God for allowing them to reach this moment, and the ceremony ended with everyone present chanting the Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessing) together.

Though this ceremony was a first of its kind, I believe that it should be continued and should become a custom for the well-deserving Transgender Jews as an affirmation of their real gender.