Chayei Sarah - It's a small world after all

Jacob A, October 30, 2010 Temple Emanuel Newton, MA

Temple Emanuel in Newton is one of the largest and most engaging synagogues in greater Boston. That's why I wanted to go with you this morning to the services, despite not being invited. It was not disappointing! As we walked in, I read the program for the day, and believe it or not, I knew the other family celebrating the B'nai Mitzvah for the day. Friends from a long time ago, Michael and Karen had a son just 9 months before you were born. They actually visited us in LA just before you were born. I knew it was beshert that I was there. The service was really moving; the cantor's voice like opera, and the rabbi's sermon had me at the edge of my seat. On top of that, Jacob (and Evan) did remarkable jobs chanting torah and teaching the congregation of their parshah and haftorah. Where are the shy kids? I haven't seen any so far this year!

I also saw a friend from college, and a coworker from Teradyne, thereby making this Bar Mitzvah one for all the stages of my life....

Vayeira

Sammy A. Oct 23, 2010, Temple Israel Boston

Today we attended Sammy's Bat Mitzvah.

Though the synagogue is so large, the feeling was very warm and intimate; they started the service in the hallway, with Sammy and her family on a small stage, inviting everyone to enter the congregation together.

What a poised and articulate young lady! Sammy spoke about how we as Jews question things, we don't just accept what we are told or taught. Her example of Mr. Civin's class made you all giggle. Goldie you were so happy to be there with your camp friends, posting your excitement on Facebook late last night. That along with texts from Max and company coming in from NY, makes this weekend a camp reunion. Thanks to Sammy, you looked at going to Eisner years ago. She knew it was something special, and she shared it with you. Sammy's party in the evening had a Camp theme. The table numbers were by bunk, and the DJ was your favorite from Camp. What a fun night for all!

I had the responsibility of driving you and Sammy and two other camp friends to Lola's Bat Mitzvah party after....and there was traffic everywhere in Boston due to the Head of the Charles, and BC Football game. I love Boston in the fall!

Lola , Oct 23, 2010

Temple Beth El of Belmont

Lola has been your friend at camp for 2 years, she came to your Bat Mitzvah. Though you missed the service this morning, you and your friends went for the afternoon party at the temple. When I came to pick you up, I stood at the doorway waiting for you. Seconds later you zoomed by me, being chased by Max with a bubble wand. I surmised right there that you had a good time, even if it was a short time at the party. A week ago Lola's mom sent out a very comprehensive guide to their Shabbat Services--I had to guess that many of the guests were not Jewish. Her explanations of Lola's responsibilities and the blessings were beautiful, you can assume that she had a nice service. Though I was only in the Temple for a few minutes, I realized how lucky we are to have been in two temples in one day, and how diverse the Jewish people are across Boston.

The Skyscraper Bar Mitzvah : Lech L'cha

Phil B October 10, 2010, Artists for Humanity, Boston

About a week ago Goldie came home from school and asked me to find her some pictures of the towers in Shanghai: the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, and the World Financial Center, all buildings we had been to in Shanghai. She said she caught Phil drawing some of them at school that day, and told him we had been to those buildings in China. She designed a card for Phil with all these skyscrapers, monuments to our time in China, knowing that he was interested in them. Today when I brought her to the Bar Mitzvah, a rare Sunday morning event at the Artists for Humanity Center in South Boston, there were posters and replicas of these and other towering buildings of the world decorating the party space. It was like Goldie had a premonition! The building itself was very cool, artist space for kids in Boston for afternoon and summer programs. There were easels everywhere, and art supplies lining the walls, making space for a Bar Mitzvah and party.

10-10-10 at 10:10 AM the invitation said. This was one not to be late for.

Lech L'Cha is what we did a few years ago, we went forth to China!

Next week is a BYE week!!

In the Beginning

B'reisheet Bara Elohim.....

Dear Goldie

October 3, 2010

I wanted to take this time to document this very special year in your life: 7^th Grade!

This weekend we attended the first Bar Mitzvahs of the year. It was wonderful to be together as a family for these celebrations. So many of them we won’t be together; you will be with your friends. I wish to capture some of your comments when you tell us of your impressions of each celebration.

Goldie's Bat Mitzvah, May 29, 2010 Chabad of Lexington

Let me start by commenting on your Bat Mitzvah, the true first one of your class. It was the most joyous occasion of our family life. You were magnificent; poised, articulate, and confident. I loved watching you greet family and friends, thanking them for coming, and making them part of the day. You changed before our eyes, both physically and spiritually, into a beautiful young woman.

A remarkable four days starting with Minyan at the Rashi School took us through the Bat Mitzvah weekend. Friday night we lit candles and ushered in Shabbat at Chabad of Lexington, our religious home for the 7 years we have been in Boston. Along with family and close friends you led the Kabbalat Shabbat, and were toasted by the Rabbi and his wife. On Shabbat morning, you gave a D'var Torah to remember, and we honored the generations of our family in reading and blessing the torah. I was able to contain myself from tears, until the point your girlfriends rushed the Bimah to hug you when you finished. The kiddush luncheon under the tent was highlighted by Dad's speech about your name, and Jacob's greetings to our guests "Good Shabbas!"

We ended this special Shabbat with Havdallah and Persian food at our home Saturday night. You, Odessa and Amir had your own party...still not sure what you were up to! And the best part, was the dance party in the backyard under the tent and the stars with your school friends. A wonderful end to a beautiful weekend.

Josh S, October 2, 2010 Temple Aliyah, Needham.

Ever since we met the Simanis as a family, you and Jacob, and Josh and Nathan have been like cousins. We have watched you all grow together, enjoying Shabbat dinners, and family outings. Though it is a gang of boys, they have always included you, and enjoyed your company. Josh brought us back to the Temple where Dad and I were married, and the Rabbi who performed our marriage led Josh’s Bar Mitzvah. It was a joyous occasion for us to be in that holy place where it all began for us, to introduce you to the Rabbi, and to see the next generation become adults. The best comment of the day was when the Torah was brought out and “Breisheet” was chanted. You had been asked to read this part of the Torah for Josh’s Bar Mitzvah, but it didn’t quite work out. You said that it would have been “cool” to do that portion, and that you wanted to read from the Torah for Nathan’s Bar Mitzvah!!

Paul L. October 2, 2010 Temple Emanuel Newton

We didn’t attend Paul’s Bar Mitzvah at the temple, as it was at the same time as Josh’s. I know you were happy to be at Josh’s ceremony, but I know you missed being at Paul’s, admitting to me that you occasionally wondered if Paul was doing the same thing at the same time as Josh. Paul has been in your class since kindergarten, and though you were never “playmates”, you were always friendly. We attended Paul’s party at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed watching you and your friends (Odessa, Natalie) dance and socialize. You updated your facebook page when you came home:

first bar mitzvah of 7th grade was pretty good. its a good way 2 start the year with all the other ones! cant wait 4 da rest!!

Saman H., October 2, 2010, Temple Sinai, Westwood CA

Believe it or not, we had a third celebration this weekend. We were not able to attend your cousin Saman's Bar Mitzvah party in Los Angeles this weekend. Saman was born 10 months before you....I was pregnant with you at his Brit Milah. It is from Saman's childhood that I learned the Persian custom of making a special soup to celebrate the first tooth. Though we have not seen Saman and his family in a while, we shared early birthday parties and wish them well for Saman's Bar Mitzvah.

From Around the World:

I should also mention the few we missed over the summer: Elisheva Benjamin, friend from Shanghai who had her Bat Mitzvah in Australia in June. She loved your invitation so much that she, with permission, copied the style! Shani B., friend from Rashi, celebrated with her family in Jerusalem in August. And Sophie Rosen, friend from Shanghai, celebrated with her family and friends at the Ohel Moshe synagogue in Shanghai. Her's was the first ever Bat Mitzvah in this restored shul from the 1930s, and was documented in the Magazine, the Atlantic.

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/09/being-jewish-in-shanghai-photos/62574/

Next up:

Phil B., October 10, 2010, Boston, MA (10-10-10 at 10:10 AM)