After the amazing wedding in St. Pete, I rushed right back to South florida, to get ready for Rachel and Mara’s Havdalah Bat Mitzvah. Rachel and Mara are sisters, almost 2 years apart, who prepared for their special day together, and it was a great experience, for them, and me.
I always learn from my experiences, and this was no exception, but in the process, the girls became very special to me, as did Robin, their Mom. I think because the parents were divorced, and I could feel the dynamics of that divorce as it was something I went through myself, I identified even more. But, Jeff and Robin did a great job of creating a unified front, and making their daughters’ day the priority.
The Bat Mitzvah was held at the Hyatt Bonaventure, on Saturday evening. The girls’ theme was New York City, and it was really beautiful. Learning their Torah portions were not easy for both girls, but I must say, they did the most incredible job. Especially Mara, who had the hardest time, so I just want her to know how PROUD of her I really was that night.
The girls each did 3 Aliyot, the V’Ahavta, and I must say, they both wrote amazing D’var Torah portions. Their parsha, Lech Lecha, was about Abraham’s journey to a new land, and each girl related their experience of their journey into young adulthood, comparing it to Abraham’s journey into the new Land. Both girls were amazing writers, and will always look back and remember the special moments of listening to them express themselves through their own written words. The opportunities to write personally really made this experience more meaningful to both of them, which…isn’t that the purpose??
Yasher Koach, girls. I’m so proud of you both.
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