Monday, December 24, 2012

The B'nai Mitzvah of Ben and Ellie

Monday, Dec. 24, 2012
By one of the B'nai Mitzvah Mothers


This was an amazing day. This was the most unique Bar Mitzvah experience Icould ever imagine. Today was the day we celebrated our son Ben's Bar Mitzvah on Masada, aside Ellie who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah.  Our families are traveling together on the Mandell JCC's Family trip to Israel. With our families, including grandparents on both sides, and new friends from our group, we sat together in one of the Masada structures, facing north to Jerusalem, with the Torah, prayerbooks and Rabbi.  It only took watching Ellie and Ben, both absorbed in their blessings and Torah portion readings, and the huge smiles on their faces, to feel the holiness and spirituality that Masada provides.    I dreamt of being here for my  child's Bar Mitzvah, and Herzl did say "if you will, it is no dream."   So here we are. In my grateful state of being on this sacred mountain in Israel, I could only say "thank you" to those who made this so special for all of us.  

We ended the evening at Genesis, a replica of Abraham's Biblical tent for a festive dinner complete with sparklers and cake to commemorate this special day.





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