Noah

Anna Kim, October 29, 2011, Temple Shalom of Newton

We are definitely on the home stretch...Anna is a friend from camp who most wonderfully reminds you of BFF Hannah in Shanghai. Her father is Korean, mom is American, and she is a beautiful and wonderful friend. The services were at Temple Shalom, a trip down memory lane since that is where you went to Nursery School when we moved to Boston exactly 10 years ago. During the kiddush, I walked to the basement to see the school, and it was just as I remembered it. The party was on a snowy October night at the Charles Hotel. It took me all day to update the blog, as we've been out of power since last night.

Next week is Eden, and Eliza, who is the last of your class.

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