Yesterday as we held another moving Bar Mitzvah Ceremony at Chabad of Sudbury, the parents of the Bar Mitzvah boy shared a few remarks, which were spoken from the heart, simply, yet so profound.
The father shared his own journey and of how when he grew up in the former Soviet Union, he wasn't able to have a Bar Mitzvah. He shared how neither was his own father, the grandfather of the Bar Mitzvah boy able to have a Bar Mitzvah, and how in school he recalled being told by his parents to always push himself tremendously to be on top, otherwise as a Jew, he would never have a chance if he was equal in accomplishments to everyone else.
He recalled his grandparents having to hide their Jewish identity, hiding the fact that his mother's father was a Rabbi, and yet finding a surreptitious way to go to the synagogue once a year, to pick up Matzos for Passover.
In a few short words choked with emotion, the father of the Bar Mitzvah boy shared with his son and the friends of his son, the privilege and honor of being able to celebrate the milestone of a Bar Mitzvah and being the first boy in generations in their family to do so. He shared how he sees it, it these young boys who have the responsibility carry the flame of Judaism forward, to always stand proud and strong for what they represent, and to live joyfully and meaningfully with the traditions and values of Judaism.
Personally, I am always deeply moved by these kinds of moments at Bar & Bat Mitzvahs and know that the messages conveyed through words and the unspoken sentiments, touch everyone in a very deep way, as we reflect on the past and what brought us to this moment, and deepen our resolve to strengthen the Jewish future.
This week, we were fortunate to have so many meetings with parents who are looking to enroll their children in Hebrew School and give them a meaningful Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience. No matter what perspective the parents are coming from, they all share in the same deep rooted desire of finding a meaningful and joyful way to convey to the next generation our deepest values and traditions, along with our history and a deep resolve and pride for who we are and who we need to be in today's world.
Our children are the future, and in a week when we read a Torah portion that talks about our first fruits and bringing them to G-d and acknowledging the blessings we have been bestowed with, it is also a calling and reminder, to give our very best to our own first fruits, or children, our future, our most prized possession, so that they too can be the torchbearers of the illuminating light and values of Judaism, onwards and upwards in the years ahead.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel
P.S Lots of great programs for all ages in the weeks ahead... See below, RSVP and don't forget to share and invite your friends.