Growing Up Jewish

SHOOTING PRODUCER DIRECTOR

1 x 50' for BBC One
Streaming now on BBC iPlayer

Shortlisted: Craft - Cinematographer - RTS East Awards 2025
Shortlisted: Specialist Factual - RTS East Awards 2025
Shortlisted: Sandford St Martin Awards 2025

Four young people on the cusp of adulthood, all preparing for one of the most important nights of their lives: their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Dylan, Ayala, Talia and Eve are all about to embark on a uniquely Jewish rite of passage. A boy’s Bar Mitzvah, or a girl’s Bat Mitzvah, marks their transition to adulthood within the Jewish faith. For these 12- and 13-year-olds, Bar and Bat Mitzvah represents a chance to bring family together, celebrate their heritage and look ahead to the adults they want to become.

With intimate access to the private celebrations of these four young Jewish people, as the clock ticks down to this big week, this film reveals the cultural and religious significance this milestone holds for each of them, and what being Jewish means to a generation about to come of age.

"A touching film" - The Times

"You will laugh and may cry watching these charming youngsters" - The Guardian

"The four young people featured in this accessible, sensitive and joyous guide to bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs offer real hope for the future, personifying charity, kindness and emotional intelligence." - Radio Times

Growing Up Jewish - copyright True Vision / Rosemary Baker

PictureGrowing Up Jewish - copyright True Vision / Rosemary Baker

Production Company: True Vision
Shooting Assistant Producer: Tilly Wax
Assistant Producers: James Gilmore & Daisy Maskell
Production Manager: Adam Louka
Editor: Einav Lovatt Leshetz
Executive Producers: Brian Woods & Jon Blair
Filmed, Produced and Directed by: Rosemary Baker