David's Bar Mitzvah took place on a beautiful sunny day, that was sandwiched between weeks and weeks of wet weather. Everyone kept asking we what my contingency plan was for the Kiddush Lunch (scheduled to be out in the synagogue's back garden) in the event of rain? Considering my synagogue is so small... the only response was was "Praying for sunshine!".
Well, it seemed that my prayers were answered, because we didn't have a single drop of rain. Hurray! Hurray!
The biggest planning anxiety for this stressed out Bar Mitzvah mom was whether the custom-ordered burgundy yarmulkes would arrive on time. I had been calling the kippah manufacturer for weeks, who repeatedly told me, "They'll be ready in a few days!". After many emails and phone calls, I finally got them to send the kippahs (when they were done) expedited delivery. Once I knew they were en-route, I logged into the UPS website several times a day to watch my order make it's way from Brooklyn, NY to Providence, UT. They arrived on Thursday night at 6:00 pm. With just a day to spare!
Okay, on to the big day! Rabbi Yoni, our student rabbi from LA's Hebrew Union College, officiated at David's Bar Mitzvah. Yoni did an absolutely wonderful job of leading the service. It was so upbeat and was enjoyed by our friends, family, and regular congregants. Knowing in advance that some of guests are not Jewish, Yoni took time during the service to explain what we were doing and why we were doing it. And always made sure everyone knew what page we were on.
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| Rabbi Yoni & David in front of the Ark |
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| Reading from the Torah. |
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| Returning the Torah to the Ark. |
An especially moving part of the service was when I looked up from the bimah and saw my entire family sitting in the audience. Seeing all their smiling faces I got a huge lump in my throat. Since the members of my family live from the East Coast to the West Coast... we rarely get the whole group together. I think the last time we were ALL together was in Florida, 8 weeks after Joshua was born. Considering that Joshua is almost 16 now... let's just say "it's been awhile". Anyway, as I looked out and saw my whole family in the audience, I was so deeply touched at the love and support my family displayed by coming that it brought tears to my eyes.
Family members included: my mom (Patricia), my step-daughter (Brandi), my sister & brother-in-law (Janet & Jack), my dad & stepmother (Peter & Anne), my sister (Terry), my niece (Alex), my nephew (Eden), my nephew & his girlfriend (Aram & Rachael), my mother-law & father-in law (Carolynn & Phil), and my grandmother in-law (Grandma T).
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| Grandma T & Grandma Pat stealing a kiss from Joshua before the service. |
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| Dad & Anne all ready for the service to begin. Hard to believe my dad is not Jewish... he looks like a rabbi. |
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| Rachael (standing), Eden, Alex, & Terry. Hurray, people are reading their programs! |
David did an absolute terrific job on the day of his Bar Mitzvah. It's every Jewish mom's nightmare that you are going to have a child that reads too quietly (so no-one hears), or speaks too fast (so no-one understands), or just flops royally. None of that happened to David. He was excellent. He did both his Torah portion and Haftorah portions perfectly. He did a wonderful job giving his D'var Torah (sermon on the Torah portion), and co-led the service with Yoni like a pro. Both Devon and I were so proud of him.
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| Bar Mitzvah boy smiling on a job well done. |
The only slip-up in the entire service was that Grandma T, who had purchased David's tallit, wanted to make a special presentation about David's Hebrew Name. When I saw Grandma at the airport on Friday, I checked with her to see if she was up to speaking at the service. At that time she said "No", but told me if she changed her mind... she'd let me know. Well, I guess it's a 95 year old grandma's prerogative to "change her mind". Just as the service was concluding, Grandma T communicated that we'd forgotten her speech... so Rabbi Yoni called everyone back into the sanctuary for Grandma's presentation. Which was very nice and well worth coming back for.
Poor Rabbi Yoni got an earful from Grandma T about "forgetting to include her". I felt sooooo bad for Yoni because he didn't even know that she had something planned. But, I guess a seasoned rabbi learns to take all comments in good stride (even undeserved negative ones).
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| Rabbi Yoni & Grandma T. |
Kudos to our Torah readers: Joshua, Cole, David G., Judi, and Yoni. Knowing how busy everyone is at this time of the year... I am so in awe of you all for taking the time to learn your Torah portions. Thank you to my mom (Patricia) and my sister (Janet) for saying the before/after blessings for the Torah. And finally, a huge thank you to Jeff S. for serving as our Gabai. He did an incredible job running the Torah portion of our service like clockwork.
After the service, we all congregated in the back garden of the synagogue for the Kiddush Luncheon. My nephews, Eden & Aram, said the blessings over the challah and wine/juice. Then a crowd of close to 80 people, all tucked in for a wonderful luncheon of: Bagels, Cream Cheese, Salads, Fruit, and a spread of various home-made desserts. Best of all were the Mimosas (champagne & orange juice).
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| Aram & Eden saying the blessing over the wine. |
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| The blessing over the challah. Our synagogue's custom is to "touch someone who is touching the challah". |
Kudos to Deb G. and the "Kiddush Crew" (Jenny, Carol, Sue, Frances, Ella, & Elise) who worked behind the scenes to make the luncheon so lovely. These wonderful women snuck out during the service and set up the tables of food. I am so appreciative of these special women, because of them I didn't have to miss a minute of David's service. Thank you so much! In addition, I am sooooo appreciative of the people that were kind enough to bring food to help supplement our luncheon. Thank you... Carol, Heather, & Helen.
After the luncheon we took time to pose for a few photos (thank you so much... Barbara) inside and outside the synagogue.
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| The Whitney Five.... Gillian, David, Brandi, Devon, & Joshua. |
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| The Findlay Family Bloodline... Patricia & Peter's three daughters & five grandchildren. |
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| Eden, Alex, Grandma Pat, David, Aram, & Joshua. |
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| Anne, David, & Grand Dad Peter. |
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| Sisters.... Janet, Gillian, & Terry. |
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| Cousins... Alex, David, Brandi, Aram, Eden, & Joshua. |
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| Aunt Janet (The Godmother), David, & Uncle Jack. |
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| Grandma Carolynn, David, & Grandpa Phil. |
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| Grandma T. & David. |
It was a real challenge to try and figure a way for us to all fit into one shot together. 18 people makes for a big group shot. But, somehow, Barbara got us all in!
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| All eighteen of us on the steps of the synagogue. |
Eventually, we had to end the photo session and get everyone back to the time shares. With a one hour drive back to Park City, I knew we had to get people on their way before they became too tired. After all, the celebrations were scheduled to continue that night with a Pizza Party for David, in the Miner Club's Theatre Room.
All in all... it was an absolutely perfect day. This mom could not have wanted for anything better. It was all just the way I had dreamed it would be.
I would especially like to recognize my hubby for ALL he did to make this day so wonderful. Everything from taking vacation days from work to bake cookies, setting up chairs at the synagogue, and picking up a billion sticks in the back garden!. Being such willing host on the day of the service... constantly up and out of his seat, so that no guest was ever without a prayer book, program, or chair. Being the Einstein's bagel point man and helping Deb G. set-up the Kiddush luncheon. And best of all... for being the Bar Mitzvah boy's father!
