Inmates at San Quentin prison celebrate a b’nai mitzvah. The ceremony, held in July 2026, was the culmination of more than a year of study for the nine participants, who ranged in age from late-30s to mid-60s. The multiracial group included men who were raised Christian or without religion, one who identifies as an Israelite, one who has been studying Kabbalah for more than 20 years, and one who wanted to learn Hebrew but became fascinated with Judaism. Rabbi Paul Shleffar, San Quentin’s Jewish chaplain, said the men had deepened their connection to Judaism while doing a form of teshuvah for their crimes.