Yitro

Jess. D, February 11, 2012, Beth El Center, Belmont, MA

Jess did a beautiful job chanting torah and giving her d'var torah. She has a lovely voice! Her dad is a singer, also, and he sang his prayer for her. It was very moving.

This was the first Bat Mitzah that Jacob was invited to, on his own. Jess rides the bus with you guys in the mornings, and you have all become good friends. Jess is full of life, very funny, and talented. She had a bit of coughing spell during the torah service, but she persevered. The party was at the Arlington Town Hall, it was a lot of fun for all.

Lech L'Cha

Eliza S., Nov 5, 2011, Cong Hillel B'nai Torah

Eliza closes out the year for your class. You were first, she is last in what was a perfect year and a half of celebration! You weren't able to go to hers, because we were also invited to Eden's, but there was a sense of melancholy and sentimentality for the last party of the class. Sorry you had to miss it.

Eden. O., Nov 5, 2011, Newton Center Minyan

You have been friends with Eden in drama and through Odessa, and it was a pleasure to see her take the lead in her services yesterday. She was poised and articulate, and her d'var was most interesting; she looked at the concept of "beauty" in our modern world, as Sarah's beauty was admired far and wide in the parshah. She commented on the Eishat Chayal, and then drew in her mitzvah project of collecting clothes for Dress for Success. Her party was at Gann Academy, where the space was transformed into a lovely party of pomegranates and Israeli dancing.

It was a perfect end to a season of celebration.

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!