Film Screening of THIRTEEN at Lehrhaus

Reclaiming Ritual — Judaism, Disability, and Belonging

Join Gateways and Lehrhaus in Somerville for a screening of the short film THIRTEEN, followed by a conversation and Q&A with director Allison Norlian. Inspired by a true story from Norlian’s own family, the film follows a fierce and loving mother who challenges long-held communal norms to secure her disabled daughter’s right to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah.

THIRTEEN is a tender and powerful exploration of faith, love, and belonging, asking what it really means to come of age in a tradition that does not always make room for every body or voice. As the characters on screen wrestle with questions of obligation, courage, and change, we too will be invited into that struggle. Together—with the filmmaker and the Lehrhaus community—we’ll reflect on the enduring tension between preserving tradition and embracing change for a more inclusive future.

During the program, CEO Tamar Davis will briefly share how Gateways’ B’nei Mitzvah Program supports students, families, clergy, and educators in creating personalized, inclusive B’nei Mitzvah experiences—whether in synagogue, at home, or through alternative pathways.