Vayechi

Robyn I. , Temple Emanuel Newton, MA, December 18, 2010

Robyn's Bat Mitzvah was highly aniticpated...it's been a few weeks since a girl had a Bat Mitzvah from Rashi! She had a Mincha/Havdallah service, so that she actually did the first parshah from Sh'mot. Then after Havdallah, there was dinner and dancing. The theme was hockey! Robyn plays hockey on a boys team, the tables were named by hockey teams, and there were pucks with her name on it on every table. She shoots, she scores!

Vayigash

Sage W. December 11, 2010, Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA

Yeah! Camp friends! Goldie you can't wait for Bar and Bat Mitzvot of camp friends. Sage was in your bunk at Eisner last year.

Sage's invitation came via email...an effort to save paper. It also came with a website and a blog. Very 2010!

Your facebook update says it all:
Sage's Bat mitzvah was soooooo amazing! I was so happy to c:Suzanna, Rachel, Mollie, Carolyn, Della, Lola and others!

Vayeishev

Adin I., November 27, 2010 Temple Emeth, Chestnut Hill

Sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Chanukah, this Shabbat was special. Adin and the Rabbi both spoke of gratitude and of courage, the themes of the holidays this week. And they both related those themes to the parshah: the story of Joseph and his brothers. It was truly a proud moment for the Rabbi and the Congregation, as Adin's mom is the president of the synagogue. And Adin's dad was beaming when he chanted from the Torah.

Adin (the boy!) has also been in your classes since kindergarten; he has always had a very mild nature about him, he is thoughtful and polite. It is nice to see the boys in the class, both past and present, surround each other on the bimah every week. And very nice to see Zachary and Taylor, friends from the beginning of Rashi.

Adin's party is at CBS Scene at Patriot's Place. Should be fun!

Vayishlach

Elijah E. November 20, 2010 Temple Emanuel, Newton, MA

Elijah and his family have been part of our lives since we moved to Lexington. He was in Goldie's Nursery School class, and then along with the Elbergs, we formed the highly coordinated carpool to the Rashi School. "Good Morning Lexington" David Passer would greet us each morning. The ride to school was with joy; singing to the radio, watching a movie, discussing sports and American Idol results. Even now, when you kids all get together, you always tell the story of the day Edwin took you to school and got lost! Goldie and Jacob would get together often with Elijah and Odessa when they were younger. I remember one time Elijah and Odessa stayed with us one night, and Elijah and I stayed up late to watch a Patriots Game, the rest having gone to bed.

It was with joy that we watched Elijah today called to the Torah, teach the congregation, and celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. He spoke so proudly, with conviction and poise, about relationships, commenting on his relationship with Odessa and his friends. The Rabbi remarked on his d'var, mimicking his "special moment" hand waving to note that today was one of those special moments too. It was wonderful to be with the Garbers, Naldinis, Abby and Kenn's family, and our Rashi friends celebrating Elijah.

On to the party, at BU Central, where cousin Amanda works and will be helping out with the party!

Vayetzei

Sydney K. November 13, 2010, Temple Aliyah, Needham, MA

This week should be familiar for you, Goldie. This is the first Shabbat that is a repeat temple! Hooray for Temple Aliyah. We will be at Derek's but I know your service will be great. I wish I could be in two places at the same time. You have been friends with Sydney also from the beginning of Rashi. In elementary school, she grew tall and fast, before all of you! Today as she becomes a Bat Mitzvah, her leadership and poise matches her stature. I'm sure she did a beautiful job.

Goldie Davoudgoleh

syd's party was AWESOME! can't wait 4 next weeks either!7 hours ago (facebook update!)

Derek S. November 13, 2010, Chabad of Lexington

Derek was in Nursery School with you, Elijah (next week's Bar Mitzvah!), and Deborah, at Chabad. What I remember of him...he was very nice and polite, and got along with all the girls. I think having two sisters tamed him! I believe he was part of the crowd of 5 year olds that gathered first thing in the morning, during free play time, to begin the morning prayers....you guys did that even before class started with Moral Elaine and Morah Rachel. Before you knew it, it was time to repeat with the rest of the class. What joy you all had in that class. I will never forget it. I was happy to be at Chabad this morning, though it has been nice traveling around Greater Boston every Shabbat. I brought you back to Chabad after Sydney's service, and all our friends marveled at how grown up and beautiful you looked! I agree.

Toldot --Twins and a Cousin this week.

Katie and Eliana R. November 6, 2010 Congregation Or Atid, Wayland, MA

Today's Parsha about Jacob and Esau was fitting to celebrate Katie and Eliana. There was plenty for both of them to speak about in a dvar, and they beautifully shared chanting the torah portion. We've been to this temple on a few occasions: Cousins Amanda and Harrison had their Bat and Bar Mitzvah there, and the same Rabbi also officiated at Grandma's funeral. The Rabbi is like part of the family! Goldie has been in class with Katie since Kindergarten, sharing every class together except for the 2 years in Shanghai.

Robert Brown, November 7, 2010 Wilmington, DE

After Katie and Eliana's service, Jacob and I made our way to Delaware with Bubbie and Zaydie to attend our cousin Robert's Bar Mitzvah, which was Sunday morning. It was a long but easy ride. Sunday morning we got a chance to catch up with Heather, Todd, Grace and Noah, friends from Shanghai who live outside of Wilmington, then we were off to the temple. It was really nice. The service was very accessible, and Robert did a good job chanting a few lines of torah, and leading the congregation. We could tell this was not easy for him, and that made it all the more special. He wore a kittle, the robe that the rabbi and cantor wore; I thought it elevated him to the status of Torah scholar. Riva confided in me that it enabled the kids to wear whatever they wanted during the service! Riva and David, Robert's parents, were so proud to have a Bar Mitzvah for Robert, something that had seemed out of reach for many years. It was an honor to be there. The ride was long coming home, but worth being with the "generations" of our family.

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....