Dressing up, dancing, fabulous food, dancing, going to Bar Mitzvahs, going anywhere with all of my men, dancing, and eating fabulous food! So, the other day we were off to a friend's son's Bar Mitzvah service. I love them. For those of you who don't know what a Bar Mitzvah service is, it is when a young Jewish person of 13 years of age leads a religious service. They read from the Torah, say prayers, teach a little lesson from the Torah, the parents deliver touching and often amusing speeches and the Rabbi blesses the Bar Mitzvah. This rite of passage is the affirmation that this young Jew will accept all of the responsibilities of an adult Jewish member of the community. In a society that demands little of our young people, I especially appreciate this rite of passage. I always, always cry. I usually begin the waterworks during the singing of a song called L'dor V'dor, meaning from generation to generation.
There is the passing of the Torah; first the Rabbi gives it to the grandparents, who then pass it to the parents, who then pass it to the young Bar Mitzvah. Get it? From generation to generation. The Bar Mitzvah then stands there holding the Torah and sings a lovely song about what a great blessing it was that we were given the Torah. If that doesn't move you, nothing will. Oh, just one more thing, virtually all of the reading and singing is IN HEBREW! After the service, comes the celebration and for many, the celebration is easily the highlight of the whole thing! For me, I love love love the service but if you really want me to help you celebrate by dancing and eating delicious things and dancing some more, I am happy to oblige! This particular party would have to have been one of the nicest, most fun parties I have ever attended. Our synagogue happens to have some pretty terrific members and some of my very favorite people on Earth were there. The venue was an automotive museum; we were surrounded by some of the fastest and most exotic and expensive cars in the world. As I am not really a car person, I was frankly, far more impressed by the seemingly endless tables of dessert but the cars were nice! I am seen here during one of my very favorite moments during the party, dancing with my firstborn. This was the only slow song they played and it was followed by the obligatory YMCA spectacle and lots of old-school dance tunes like Aretha Franklin's,Respect. As my boys have become so grown, I try to appreciate each and every moment of fun together because I can see where I am headed. Or rather, where they are headed. Away from me. As they should be. I think this is the real reason God gave children two parents. So that when the kids go, parents would not be completely devastated. Between you and me and me and you, I'm still going to be pretty broken up about them leaving! Anyway, as we were leaving the party, my mister shot this picture of us. It sums us up pretty well; Adrian was ready to get home and Ivan was thrilled to be heading home with a bag containing a giant muffin and cookies and a take-out container filled with Skittles and M&M's. As for me, I could have danced all night!
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