Haazinu

Natalie (and Alexa) P., October 1, 2011, party at Sheraton Needham, MA

Natalie joined your class in the 7th grade, and took the year to catch up in Hebrew and Judaic studies, to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with her sister Alexa today. They belong to the Chabad of Chestnut Hill, but they prepared for minyan at Rashi the same way that you did.

Natalie and Alexa have been part of drama with you, and are naturals on stage in dance and song. The party was fun, combining the 7th and 8th grades for a big Rashi kid party.

Mazel Tov

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Peri S., Sept 24, 2011 Blue Hills Country Club, Canton, MA

Peri had a late afternoon service and very fancy party after. One of her uncles made a film called "So you think you can Dance" for the famous dancer in your grade. Peri is also an accomplished piano player, I recall her at a recital once. As you arrived quite late back at the bus stop Goldie, you sent me a text about how much fun the evening was with a little "tee hee" at the end!

The class Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are winding down, only 2 to go. It's been a good start to 8th grade.

Ki Tavo

Eliza S. September 17, 2011 Temple Beth Zion, Brookline, MA

The Rabbi told Eliza that she hit a grand slam today. And she did. She was fantastic after a rough week of being sick. She led the services and chanted torah with so much ease. She spoke of charity, the parshah talking about giving a portion of our earnings to those in need. I'm sure it was because of her father's work that she could teach of the proportion of wealthy and poor in the world. You have come to know Eliza as a good friend through drama and student council, she is a great leader in your class.

Ki Tetzei

Juliet P., September 10, 2011, Temple Israel, Boston, MA

After a great summer, Juliet starts the handful of final Bat Mitzvahs that take place during 8th grade. Juliet is a friend from school and camp, and so you were excited to be with the girls of Bunk 21 all day, and then through the night at Juliet's house. Temple Israel is where Juliet's father was a Rabbi for many years, so all the "clergy" wanted to participate. I was disappointed to miss the services, but as luck would have it, you "butt" dialed me during the service, and I got to hear Aleynu!

Re'eh

Samantha P, August 27, 2011, Valley Beth Sholom, Encino CA

As we prepare for hurricane Irene here in Boston, we wish we were in LA celebrating with Samantha and her family! Dad and Samantha's father are cousins, we attended their wedding together before we were married. We reconnected with them when we took the prenatal classes together at Tarzana Hospital, Stephanie and I sharing our experiences of marrying someone Persian! And then you and Samantha went to nursery school together at the West Valley JCC! Though we moved to Boston, we have managed to stay in touch, meeting them on the east coast when they visit, and swimming at their home when we are in LA. We saw Samantha, Josh, Stephanie and Nick this summer in CT (Sydney was at camp, you were in LA) and Samantha shared with us her passion for baking cakes. I hope this weekend is the icing on the cake!

Naso

Becca T., Saturday June 4, 2011 Temple Beth El, Belmont, MA

Becca is a friend from camp. Her Bat Mitzvah was very nice, she included other friends from camp who go to her temple in her service. I met her after kiddush, and I noticed how deep her voice was. You told me that her singing voice was different, and that her chanting was actually very nice. Her party was at the Community Rowing in Brighton, but it coincided with Moriah's Bat Mitzvah.

Facebook update:

‎4 DAYZ TIL MY BDAY!
12 DAYZ TIL NO MORE SKOOL!
49 DAYZ TIL EISNER SECOND SESSION!

Moriah J., Saturday June 4, 2011 Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston, MA

Moriah is another classmate since Kindergarten. Her Bat Mitzvah was at the hotel where Uncle Bob and Aunt Lisa got married some 16 years ago. The beauty of the waterfront has not changed, and it is an ideal place to enjoy and appreciate Boston. The services overlooked the harbor, and the party was in several rooms catering to the kids and the adults. Since she had a Mincha Bat Mitzvah, her torah portion was actually Behaalotecha, the same as yours.

This was the perfect end to a simply amazing year. It was crazy at times; tiring, figuring out logistics of being in more than one place at a time, what to wear (!!!) and missing going to our own synagogue, but I don't think we would trade it for anything in the world. Being with friends every week, from school, camp, or family friends, and seeing this rite of passage in the myriad of synagogues and party venues was just great. I felt proud to take you every weekend, knowing that every Shabbat you were a little more mature, a little more aware of the community. There are a few more for your class in the fall, and then we are off until Jacob's year. I really can't wait.

With Love,

Mom

Bamidbar

Ally D., Saturday May 28, 2011 Malibu Jewish Center, Malibu, CA (didn't attend!)

Goldie, Ally was your first friend in Nursery School at the JCC in West Hills, CA. Her aunt Joy was our Mommy and Me teacher, and she couldn't wait for you to meet her niece Ally, and for me to meet her sister Stacy. Once they moved to Los Angeles, we all became fast friends. And when we moved to Boston the following year, it was hard to say goodbye! It would have been nice to see Ally all grown up at her Bat Mitzvah. We have been to this temple, too, in Malibu. It's where Ally's cousin Eric's Bar Mitzvah was a few years ago, and it is spectacular.

Samantha R., Saturday May 28, 2011, Temple Kol Tikveh, Woodland Hills, CA (didn't attend!)

Samantha is also one of your longest time friends, having been born a few months before you when we lived in LA. Samantha's mom is one my "oldest" friends, we were in high school together, college roommates, and most memorably, lived on Cape Cod for a summer together during college. We always get together in LA when we visit family, which has enabled you to keep in touch with Samantha and her sister Alex. We had the opportunity to see Samantha and her family this past April at Passover.

Amy W., Saturday May 28, 2011, Temple Israel, Sharon, MA

Maybe Amy is one of your longest time friends, too? When you were a few months old, Amy and her parents visited us in LA, and we had a grand outing to the Getty Museum, and lots of fun. Amy's mom and I have been friends since we were kids, and Amy's dad and I have known each other a long time, too, having planned High Holiday services together for singles some 20 years ago. It was coincidence that I knew them both before they met. You have managed to stay friendly with Amy, sharing your love of theater.

Amy's Bat Mitzvah party had a Broadway theme--each table had a poster from a different show, and in between the fun dancing and games, the DJ led us in songs from many of the shows. Amy's candle lighting ceremony was actually dubbed "Amy's Awards Ceremony" where she gave out little statuettes, and applicable show tunes played upon acceptance. Very clever design, and very festive. A "Wicked" awesome time!

Jillian A., Saturday May 28, 2011, Temple Beth Sholom, Needham, MA

When you were in 3rd grade, Jillian came to look at Rashi School, and you were her buddy for the day. Then after you spent 2 years in Shanghai, and returned to Rashi, Jillian was your "buddy" for the beginning of Middle School. Though Jillian has left Rashi, you still see her occasionally, and it is fitting to be able to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with the class this weekend.

I wish we could have made it to all the parties and celebrations this weekend.