Edgar A. Beautiful lesson, beautiful reading. The plural of bar mitzvah is b'nei mitzvah. Summoning up offensive stereotypes or poking fun at Jewish culture is anotherand should absolutely be avoided. Last line: Im standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me. to discover the Way; And in addition to reflecting back to you what I see, I want to offer youfive things to take with you as you go through life as a powerful woman. 5783 This week's Torah reading is Tetzaveh Upcoming holiday is Purim | Mar. To walk this world as a powerful woman, we need support; we need community. ), This day is so meaningful, and youve worked so hard for it. Torah calls to you as it called to our people: And I happened to open it to a page which contained two poems / prayers for b'nei mitzvah, exactly the kind of thing I'd been looking for. You could make it a wish for the big day itself or go bigger and make a hopeful wish for the bar/bat mitzvahs future. The challenge is one of both freedom and responsibility, but the dignity of others as well. I mean, whoever would think they can rebrand Judaism anyway? A bar or bat mitzvah experience must be built around deep study of the Torah, and positive Jewish experiences. High Holidays Booklet - Just Print Copies! They were daughters of wealthy, elite families that threw expensive parties. First line:In the garden theres a tree planted by someone who only imagined me. I take deep pride that you say what you think and feel, that you rant, that you complain, that you say what you want and need. 2023 Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. Today I am a woman. Amanda Celis is a writer and photographer with a decade of experience in the social expressions industry. This is something youre already stepped into with such grace, but I want you to know theres so much more for you here in this world of spirit and deep tradition. Sinai is ever present. The person who receives the aliyah goes up to the bimah before the reading and recites a blessing for reading of the Torah. Sinai. Sinai. . Required fields are marked *. It is also said that its blast will herald the coming of the messiah. Its an important step in your faith and a big accomplishment, too. Helpful tip: First timer? Last line:May we always remember the exquisite value of friendship and community and be good friends in return. I understand that." ~ Joan Larkin "Being a writer in Hollywood is like going to Hitler's Eagle Nest with a great idea for a bar mitzvah." ~ David Mamet First line: May the One who blessed ourancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless our child who has come forward this day to the reading of the Torah in recognition of their desire to live a worthy Jewish life. May your heart conceive with understanding, may your mouth speak wisdom and your tongue be stirred with sounds of joy. You have to put on a suit every weekend to go meet with a bunch of Jews. ~ Jesse Eisenberg, This is hands down the biggest, most exciting thing Ive ever been involved within my life. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. 10-Point Mitzvah Campaign. Yes, I know it will grow and evolve, but I dont want you to wait til its all just so to share it with the world. First line:Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that hed had 3 months to write. Last line: Anything can happen child, anything can be. And luckily, you dont have to have a rabbis understanding of the occasion to write something thats both honoring and meaningful. The last thing I want to offer you today has always been yours and will always be yoursand thats me. (Courtesy of 's Raising the Bar families) Guests helping unroll the Torah at the Jewish Journey Project's Brit Atid ceremony. It is traditionally held that there are 613 mitzvot (plural) in Judaism, both postive commandments (mandating actions) and negative commandments (prohibiting actions). our hearts filled with love, our arms outstretched While watching a family friend read from two Torahs at his Zoom bar mitzvah on April 12, Aviva Preminger, who lives on the Upper East Side, saw that her son Nathan Hiltzik looked "crushed" at . And shes celebrating. I liked the readings so much that I got online and ordered myself a copy of the siddur right then and there. Stay tuned for occasional emails about all things Jewish. helpful non helpful. Before weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, and what have you. Israel means many things. According to the Torah, God, in the presence of the Jewish people, gave Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai (Har Sinai). The third thing I want you to have in your life as a powerful woman is compassion. Just a few words of introduction: The author of this quotation is Mark Twain (born Samuel Langhorne Clemens). 1. You cant control your kids. Alternative Bar and Bat Mitzvah Ceremonies | My Jewish Learning At an alternative bar/bat mitzvah ceremony. AmericanGreetings.com is a service of American Greetings Corporation, Copyright 2023 AGC,LLC. These letters offer a unique source of inspiration and guidance to anyone that . If youre stumped on what to write in a bar/bat mitzvah card, this article has writing tips and ideas to get you going. We didnt keep kosher or observe the Sabbath. There is diligent study and preparation involved, and thats worthy of a callout. and its Grace your grace. And as for the child who is up to reading it that's great. First line: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. I dont know whats going on. The effort makes me think that perhaps G-d doesn't want me to do it. I can only compare it to my Bar Mitzvah. ~ Shia LaBeouf, There was a year straight where every weekend, I went to at least one bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, and we would all go, and it was a lot of fun. There had only been two or three ever at our synagogue. Torah is the voice of Sinai speaking to Help! And I want you to look out right now. Secondand more importantlyheres a little something to show you just how proud., With money/gift card enclosed: Hope the happy bat mitzvah glow just lasts and lasts. 7. Repeat to yourself: "I'm in controlI'm in control. Astronaut Party Games. First line:Somebody said that it couldnt be done, but he with a chuckle replied that maybe it couldnt, but he would be one who wouldnt say so till he tried. In many communities both bar and bat mitzvah are celebrated at age 13. Mazel tov! Hitler had been in power only six months, and his boycott was already in full effect. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general., . After the portion of the Torah is read, the recipient recites another blessing. June 14, 2017, 10:30 AM. And the cool thing is, you get to explore and discover what deeply enriches you, what lights you up and what connects you to your unique definition of God, Spirit, Shechina,Adonai. Rabbi Jay Karzen, coined the "Jerusalem bar mitzvah king" by The Jerusalem Post in 1997, has stories to make you laugh out loud or cry tears of joy. The book isn't cheap, but it's well worth the price. Wording for a Bar Mitzvah invitation or a Bat Mitzvah invitation must include the basic details of the celebration. I feel very privileged to be let in to this inner, vulnerable world of yours, and your writing has let other people in as well. Coming of age in the Jewish faith is meant to be a joyful celebration: An adolescent is finally considered an adult in Judaism, and is . People love that stuff. His Hebrew name isMoshe. But eventually, I found my own voice. Okay, being that we get furious when UBER says its still 2 minutes away, its sobering to remember that Anne Frank wrote this while she was hiding from Nazis. It's well-designed and very readable. And if you are so inclined, follow Anne Lamott on Instagram too. First line:Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. In society's eyes and in the eyes of the Jewish religion you go from being a much-loved boy to a much-loved man. Your email address will not be published. I can make my own decisions. ~ Sara Nelson, When 1:45 came, half the class left, and Danny Hupfer whispered, If she gives you a cream puff after we leave, Im going to kill you which was not something that someone headed off to prepare for his bar mitzvah should be thinking. If youre related to the recipient of your bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah card, youll want to write them a more heartfelt and personal message. to live in harmony with my people and my world. And once, as a profession, I was a young singer, what you would call a soprano in England, but I was an alto in singing Jewish music in bar mitzvahs and weddings and synagogues throughout New York City because, after Israel, New York is probably the biggest Jewish community in the world. ~ Charlemagne Palestine, I was Jewish, through and through, although in our house that didnt mean a whole lot. Amen. Please enable JavaScript if you would like to comment on this blog. May this covenant bring peace and healing And thats because when you are vulnerablewhen you let life in and really let it touch you at your core,and you let your self, your authentic self, out, in all of its realnessits exquisite. Step 2: Prepare to bless The reader will show you where the Torah reading begins and ends. This is one of his beauties for sure. And people are looking for hope and inspiration. Last line:Admittedly, calling girls to the Torah will not change everything, but it will certainly help to show that our religion is living, adaptable and subject to modification where the basic moral laws are not jeopardized, First line:I want to apologize to all the womenI have called prettybefore Ive called them intelligent or brave. In many communities both bar and bat mitzvah are celebrated at age 13. 6 - Mar. It is my heritage this day Youve earned it!, Its no easy thing to stand up and be the center of attention on your bat mitzvah day, but we know how hard youve worked, and we know youre going to do yourself and your family proud., Heres to you, Bat Mitzvahshining bright today and carrying the light of faith into tomorrow., What a joy it is to welcome a young man like you to our community of faith. Im a man, I hope. If you think the part asking people to hold hands wont fly with your group, just edit out the second line. Never miss the best stories and events! Franklin D. Roosevelt was. ~ Nat Hentoff, I suppose the nearest equivalent to a bar mitzvah in terms of emotional build-up would probably not even be ones wedding day, but ones coronation. ~ Maureen Lipman, My parents would frisk me before family events. Yet holding on is not the way of life, They are almost as much a step into the unknown as funerals-though I assure you, there is life after graduation. ~ Gloria Steinem, The fact is that people who strap bombs to their bodies to blow up families at a Bar Mitzvah in Israel, plant bombs at a nightclub in Bali, or slit stewardesses throats and ram airplanes filled with innocent Americans into office buildings do not do so for any reason related to poverty. . This is a lovely wish for children, for anyone really. By Nina Manolson What I Said to My Daughter on Her Bat Mitzvah I want you to be the powerful woman that you are. I am very proud of you and just want to reflect back to you that. I still do. When in doubt, skip the funny and keep your message straightforward. We search for words. By Megan Haave on February 23, 2023. Inspired? This week is my oldest daughter's bat mitzvah.. As my husband is the rabbi of our shul, most of our congregation will be attending.Many of our congregants have attended bat mitzvahs in the greater community where girls lein or lead services but know that the daughter of the Orthodox rabbi will probably have a more traditional service. From words of pride to blessings to congratulations, there are all kinds of messages that work well in bar/bat mitzvah cards. "People need what they think of as a poem to be read at their bar mitzvah, their wedding, a funeral, whatever. When you arent super-close to the one celebrating the bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, a simple congratulations, friendly compliment, or wish for the day/future will do the trick. The term under God was inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance. Steve Allens Tonight Show premiered. First line: There was once a man who stood before God, his heart breaking from the pain and injustice in the world. I mentioned I still needed to write what I was going to say during the service. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. Ive done it since I was bar mitzvahed. There's great value. Ten Mitzvahs. "A Bar Mitzvah is the time in his life when a Jewish boy realizes he has a better chance of owning a team than playing for one" - Jerry Reinsdorf "I'm not a boy now. I was the kid with the book. ~ Neil Gaiman, I struggled with being a Latino growing up in Los Angeles. Enjoy it! And there is! (If appropriate Torah is passed to the other parent who says:) Last line: May the stories of our people be upon your heart and grace of the Torah rhythm and dance in your soul. (Courtesy of ) Read more. The second thingI want to give you is actually something youve already claimed formally for yourself today, and that is your identity as a bat mitzvaha daughter of the commandmentsa woman with a Jewish heritage and Jewish identity. Have the most fun a guy can have with all your family right there watching your every move., With money/gift card enclosed: First of all, so proud of you! inspirational readings for bat mitzvah . Her teachings move us to compassion. Remembering the Bar / Bat Mitzvah ProblemToday I am a man.Today I am a woman.Today I am mortified.Bad enough to be growing into this body, but a public celebration of the fact? In this insane world that changes so quickly, it is grounding to remember where, and more importantly, who we came from. The message ideas below are divided by theme, but you can mix and match to come up with the words that feel just right for you to send. If (like me) you collect siddurim, this one is really worth owning. I hadnt been so wholly conscious of being a Jew since my bar mitzvahs, and it was the first time since Id had the measles that I was too sick to eat. ~ Harpo Marx, Steven Spielbergs mother, who said to E.T., I dont care where youre from, youre here and youre gonna get bar mitzvahed! And You Shall Bind Them as a Sign: A Creation Kavannah for Wrapping Tefillin Straps, Working Parent Ritual for Beginning and Ending the Work Day, by Adva Chattler, Hila Ratzabi, & Cyd Weissman, Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience, Reconstructionist Educators of North America. There are also special readings for holidays and other days. He had his girlfriend at the time with him, that Melania with him. Yes, this is by the Maimonides. From that date, she takes her place in the Jewish community. Every womanyoung or old, Jewish or notneeds to hear those words.. If a girl comes to me first for a prom or a bar mitzvah and she likes the way she looks and her boyfriend likes the way she looks, she'll come back. Tradition relates When a Jewish girl turns 12, she has all the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah. The plural of bat mitzvah is b'not mitzvah. The path is yours alone and alone you must travel upon it. The quintessential Jewish leader who spoke face to face with God, unlike any other prophet, and who freed the people from Egypt, led them through the desert for forty years, and received the Torah on Mt. revealed in the rising sun, the rustling tree, Posted at 07:00 AM in lifecycle, prayer | Permalink Inspirational Readings. "If a girl comes to me first for a prom or a bar mitzvah and she likes the way she looks and her boyfriend likes the way she looks, she'll come back." ~ Betsey Johnson. Why isnt there a blessing for that person who is not Jewish but participating in a Jewish home/life! We come as a pair! Touch the beginning and end of the Torah reading with the corner of your tallit (or the Torah's sash) and kiss it. Inspiration. "A Bar Mitzvah is the time in his life when a Jewish boy realizes he has a better chance of owning a team than playing for one" - Jerry Reinsdorf. However we struggle to renew the covenant, We believe when you succeed we succeed with you. commit us to justice. By clicking "sign up", you agree to receive emails from AmericanGreetings.comand accept ourTerms of Service,Privacy PolicyandCookies Policy. Yes, even when our children are acting awful, and they all do, (because why should they be any different than us) we still want them to feel love. The God-game is hide-and-seek. They will be your companions forever, Bar mitzvahs are often associated with formally dressed boys and girls welcoming in the first prospect of adulthood. You might choose to highlight all the hard work and schvitzing (sweating) with a message of pride or with a compliment for the bar/bat mitzvah. So here is the thing, half of the Jewish families that we know are headed by a couple where one of them is not Jewish. All rights reserved. If you do it with someone else, its like were saying, Oh! The word bar is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew ben (son of). Helpful tip: If its helpful, you could think of a bar/bat mitzvah as a little like a graduation. 6 - Mar. But God was hardly ever mentioned in my family. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. (Courtesy Jewish Journey Project) A "Raising the Bar" alternative bar/bat mitzvah ceremony. Never got a dinner! ~ Red Buttons, I dont remember much about my bar mitzvah. The kids that really flourish are often the ones who have been given real unconditional love by their parents. Mitzvah has also become colloquially assumed to mean the idea of a good deed.". Blessed are those who bring Torah to our people Israel. : April is National Arab American Heritage Month, a special time to recognize the achievements of Arab Americans, the history of Arab migration to America, the diversity within the Arab American community, important customs and traditions and more. As I have received Torah from your hands, Yom Kippur Cheat Sheet - Just Print Copies! Like me, my sister is in an interfaith marrige. Its a very cool thingand it may inspire some new thoughts for you as you think about what you want to write. This is what I most wanted Ruby to know on her bat mitzvahand its really what I want all women to know. I didnt understand most of it. ~ Trevor Noah, Just to put that in some context, 1954 was the same year that From Here to Eternity won an Oscar. When it comes to signing birthday cards, there are people who have no problem picking up a pen and adding a warm, per Get sample messages, tips and watch our new video guide to write the perfect Christmas card. and may my struggles be for the good. gathered at Mount SinaiAccording to the Torah, God, in the presence of the Jewish people, gave Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai (Har Sinai). At the age of thirteen for a boy and twelve for a girl, s/he obtains the age of Jewish majority and is obligated to all the commandments. 9 Fun Luau Party Games for Kids. Oh well. If you're hung up, don't keep trying to think of that all-important first line yourself when there's so much great material out . These Bar Mitzvah quotes will inspire you. Maybe asking that question is part of preparing them. A short mazel tov message by itself works well for a recipient you dont know as well, but you could also use it to round out a longer message. Your email address will not be published. But even in those moments, when Ive wished that your perception of the world wasnt so astute and acute, I celebrate you and applaud you. Publish your own post here. Get . I hope you find it valuable and inspiring too! Step 3: The blessings That was who I wasthat was what I did. He's welcomed to anybody's bar mitzvah. No miracles were wanted or needed For this vaccine And for that we are grateful. And I hope you feel how proud youve made everyone around you, too., A bar mitzvah is more than a party. Paramedics. Last line:For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. Even though a bar/bat mitzvah is a serious occasion, theres still room for a little good-natured humorespecially if you know the bar/bat mitzvah well and have a good sense of what theyd find funny. John Zorn. Because inherent in that permission to be truly human is compassionunderstanding that were not perfect, and we deserve to be treated with kindness, tenderness and care. I felt very American. Mitzvah Stories: Seeds for Inspiration and Learning: Milgram, Goldie, Frankel, Ellen, Schram, Peninnah, Schwartz, Cherie Karo, Strimling, Arthur: 9780984804801: Amazon.com: Books Books Literature & Fiction World Literature Buy new: $19.99 Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns Upon my bat mitzvah, some 30 odd years before Orli's, he sent me a letter: Now that I was coming of age in the Jewish community, he offered the words Moses says to Joshua as he assumes the . However, for many centuries Jewish boys have been called to the Torah to mark this transition. Spiritual Teacher/Spiritual Seeker. Public speaking is fulfilling, but preparing is so hard. Shel Silverstein is the guy who wrote The Giving Tree and other perfection. Amen. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Have a great day! I must give you the tools that make freedom meaningful. Organize your thoughts. It was a totally insane time in my life. amidst much lightning and great claps of thunder. And Bob Dylan was bar mitzvahed. ~ Kevin Sessums, I never really liked cool books. Just start to sing as you tackle the thing that cannot be done and youll do it. Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Warm compliments and pride are good themes to include. set yourself firmly on the Way of Justice and Compassion. It's inspiring to think of you taking your place in your faith community and carrying on such an enduring tradition." There was an error adding this product to your cart. Signing a sympathy card isnt easy. Last line:Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, and live along some distant day into the answer. This blessing is almost always omitted in more liberal congregations. And people are looking for hope and inspiration. During this moving ritual, family members and loved ones stand side-by-side and pass the Torah down to the Bat Mitzvah to welcome them into the chain of Jewish tradition. I was bar mitzvahed and all that. Last line: I am so proud of you!. inspirational readings for bat mitzvah ***** Happy Bar/Bat Mitzvah! So, with much appreciation to my kids for structuring my speech, thats exactly what Im going to do. As I now hold the Torah so I once held you. And in addition to fine renderings of all of the prayers one would expect from any good siddur, it also contains prayers and liturgies which aren't in the average Jewish prayerbook -- blessings for discovering one's sexual orientation, prayers for Transgender Day of Remembrance, and so on. Each week in synagogue, we read (or, more accurately, chant, because it is sung) a passage from the Torah. Bat Mitzvah Inspiration. It is traditionally held that there are 613 mitzvot (plural) in Judaism, both postive commandments (mandating actions) and negative commandments (prohibiting actions). Lit. May we hearken to the voice of Sinai It makes us happy to know that youre back. Last line: With all our hearts, we want to thank you for your love and willingness in giving the ultimate gift to the Jewish people. Bar Mitzvah Poems - Popular examples of all types of bar mitzvah poetry to share and read. that when IsraelLit. . Usually celebrated with an aliyah to the Torah and other festivities. Stay in the know . Bar Mitzvah Inspiration How quickly they grew up: they're blossoming right before our eyes. God, so the sages taught, seemed to speak with the voice of a mighty Shofar. As part of the ceremony, I spoke what was in my heart and mind to Ruby on this special day. Before weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, funerals, and anything else where youre actually meant to not be reading, my family would frisk me and take the book away. Readings for a Feminist Bat Mitzvah The following discussion of readings appropriate for a feminist bat mitzvah (a ceremony celebrating a Jewish girl's coming of age) took place on WMST-L in November 2005. God bless you and guide you today and always., Today you follow in the footsteps of so many generations who came before youand step into a future made brighter by your love for your faith, your family and your community., Blessings on you as you celebrate your bat mitzvah., Hoping you learned lessons that will always stay with you as you studied and prepared for your bar mitzvah. First line: May everyone who shares in a Jewish life feel welcome and integrated. Torah is divided into 54 portions for weekly reading in synagogue. Cash. Of the inspiration and efficiency, The hard work and creativity, And the accumulation of knowledge and science That brings us to this moment. Now youre well on your way to writing a bar or bat mitzvah card message that theyll enjoy ALMOST as much as the money you put inside. But go with your gutif congratulations feels more you, then go with that. Even when were cranky with each other, I lose patience, you lose patience, Im here. Sam Keen 123 Author: Sam Keen. Express your gratitude with these thank you messages and ideas from Hallmark card writers. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. David Gregory from CNN, NBC, MSNBC, etc. A ceremony marking the first performance of mitzvot such as being called up to the Torah to say the blessings (known . However, the sense of a worthy goal achieved, of pride in hard work and of a young person moving on to a new stage in their lifeall these things hold true for both occasions. JewBelong would like to take this moment to remind you that if you do define tzedakah as charity, it is great to give to the world, but it is really nice, and needed, to give to Jewish causes too. ), Okay, so great new dress, cute shoes, awesome partyIm a little jealous that I didnt get all this when I was 13. Jewish Holidays TheRebbe.org Chabad.org Video ChabadU Audio Classes News Kabbalah Online The Jewish . I say certain prayers. Paul Rudd was also a bar mitzvah emcee, you know? This notion of remembering Judaisms foundations and meaningful traditions are the driving forces behind JewBelong. We never went to synagogue. as we/I will stand ever beside you. Hide and Seek. B'not mitzvah were in the very early stages of being accepted in Conservative Judaism. . And shes telling me that now Im a man. No one knows what the hell youre doing. ~ Trevor Noah, [I had Bar mitzvah ]it was just me and my mom. When you write a personal message in your card to the bar or bat mitzvah, youre adding to the joy and significance of their big day. (Parent takes the Torah from the Ark and says to the Bar/Bat MitzvahComing of age, one responsible for the commandments. This passage is referred to as a parshah. Last line:Just take it bird by bird.. Last line:And from Yael the courage to do what she knows she must do.