Joliet Jewish Congregation
Shalom!
This month, our synagogue held back-to-back B’nai Mitzvah life cycle events on different weekends, one for a girl of traditional Bat Mitzvah age, and one of a man who has been attending services regularly as an adult. They both did a wonderful job!
Although the services were virtually the same (albeit with different Torah and Haftarah portions), the significances differed a bit. The first event held the meaning of becoming a Jewish adult, as it occurred relatively early in the lifetime. The second was more about in-vesting in continued learning and spiritual journey, as an adult. Both were significant moments in their Jewish journeys. Both individuals were already contributing to the Jewish community, as students, as parts of a minyan and as members of the Jewish community. Contributing to community could be considered one of the reasons for undertaking a Mitzvah project, which has become a notable part of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah year of study.
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Our Bat Mitzvah has been volunteering with a pet shel-ter, feeding the animals and cleaning their cages. “I like being with the cats and learning about them,” she said. May she learn about them for many years to come. We are all excited to see her continue to grow and move forward, with her remarkable kindness, intelligence and skillfulness.
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The Bar Mitzvah has been collecting clothing for a homeless shelter, everything from socks to coats. He said he’s been working with shelters for many years. May he recognize his own goodness as he appreciates the contributions of others, and give back in meaningful ways, as he pursues the next stage of his Jewish journey.
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Both Mitzvah projects include giving back, as they help both animals and people survive and live with dignity.
The Torah portion for our Bat Mitzvah focused on the commitment to stay balanced by using full and honest
weights and measurements. If someone’s out of balance, she said, it could be easier to get hurt; however, G-d’s kindness will always be there. She used this opportunity as a new impetus to embrace the qualities of persistence and hard work.
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The Bar Mitzvah’s Torah portion takes place at the end of Moses’ life. Despite Moses’ old age, he is thinking of the future, and the Israelites’ ability to move forward. He reminds everyone to “take care of the poor and those in need. He understands that the Israelites can move forward and they can build as a better community, as a stronger community, and to be much more than what they thought they ever were,” the Bar Mitzvah said.
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May both our Bat and Bar Mitzvahs continue to learn with and be a part of our community as they move for-ward in the next stages of their Jewish spiritual journeys.
The sum is greater than the parts. May our entire Jewish community embrace our individual abilities and skills, as we work together to form a combined, beautiful whole, each of the pieces of stained glass in our sanctuary by the bimah coming together to tell the story of our people.
L’shanah tovah tikateivu— “May you be inscribed for a good year”!
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L’shalom,
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Cantor Jessica