Bat Mitzvah Planning technically started about 1.5 years ago, when Annie started Hebrew School...we talked about her mitzvah project and other things, but nothing was formalized.
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a special moment for a Jewish teenager. This is the time when they begin to formalize a Jewish identity. They work for several years learning Hebrew, with the culminating event being that they lead the service on a Shabbat morning. They also decide on and conduct a Mitzvah project. This is sometimes as simple as working at the local food bank or soup kitchen or as big as putting on a 5k. They are as varied as the students.
Over the last year and a half, we have discussed themes, decorations and her project. My mother and I talked briefly while she was in the hospital, so that she was still a part of everything, but that part will obviously be hard.
But, it really went big, about a week ago, Wednesday November 7, when our envelope arrived from Temple giving us all the details on picking our date. In the next short time, I had Annie read to me the contents of the letter as we drove to Hebrew School. In the letter it said that students who are doubles (share their Bar/Bat Mitzvah day) would have priority over singles. So, I had Annie put 1 star by all the students with September birthdays. Then I had her put a second star by the girls she would want to share the day with.
And then, the phone calls...I called both houses of the parents of the 2 students she gave 2 stars to. I left a message at one home and the other was a disconnected number. (Which meant I would have to wait....) And, I should admit, the message I left probably sounded a little bit frantic....
Well, the dad of the first child called me back. And I immediately began a verbal onslaught of information. I think I was a bit intense...they had not even received their packet yet! While I waited for the dad to talk to the mom. I emailed Temple to ask them for email addresses. Once I got them I emailed the mom of girl #1, girl #2's mom didn't have an email address. So I sent an email...
Well, to get the story ended on a happy note...We have a partner, a date and made a request to the Temple for our date! Next post, I'll show you how nuts I really am!
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