D'var Torah

Picture a snow globe. I saw everything that was going on inside of it... but I wasn’t a part of it because I was on the outside looking in. That’s how I've always felt about Judaism.

I was going to take on this Bat Mitzvah challenge in my 50s as an empty nester. But, when I spoke to Rabbi Kedar at a Lincolnshire party a few years ago-she encouraged me to do this BEFORE my kids. I didn’t want to steal their thunder, I told her. And, she said one of the best things I can do for my kids is set an example. And, not surprisingly, she was right.

My family has heard me chanting my Torah Portion over and over again (they all know it now). They have occasionally come with me to Saturday Kol Shabbat services (my favorite service!). My kids know that on Tuesdays I won’t be home at 7pm when they get home from Hebrew school... Because I am at Hebrew School! My son and I even have the same teacher. They've seen my dedication, I am so glad it taught my kids a little something about accountability as well.

Just last week, my family returned from the BJBE 2014 Family Trip to Israel. Visiting Israel was at the top of my bucket list. It was an amazing experience to have spent time there just a few weeks before my B'nai mitzvah. Seeing the beautiful sunsets, climbing up Masada, and touching the Western Wall were just a few of the incredible things that I experienced.  I had an extremely powerful religious experience at the Western Wall that I am still trying to process, today. I made friendships will truly last a lifetime. I also got to spend time with Rabbi Kedar on deeper and more personal level. I'm so grateful that I was able to finally It’s hard to find the right words to describe it.

I feel as though I'm now inside the snow globe. I no longer feel as if I am looking in at Judaism. I realize that I am a part of something so much bigger than me, but I am now able to cherish it in my own special way. 

We all go through the daily grind. We get up.  We do our thing.  And, repeat. Life is special because we are alive, but we don't remember each day as an isolated event. There are several days that rise above the rest. And, they stay with us forever. Today is one of those days for me. My Bat Mitzvah. 

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