Saturday, October 24, 2009

Bat Mitzvah!

Today I went to my first Bat Mitzvah. It was so exciting and simply beautiful! If you knew me during the 80s...I wanted to convert to Judaism. I had Jewish friends and was so envious of their traditions. I attended High Holy Days and thought it was so neat! Today was no exception. It was just wonderful. Though...I am quite comfortable in my Christianity and no longer wish to convert. :)
The ark with the Torah inside.

Gabbi Josh Lake reading prayers.


Lindsay & her Gabbi (a Gabbi is an assistant to a Rabbi).



Lindsay with her two grandmothers & father. The grandmothers gave Lindsay a kippah to wear (female version of the yarmulke).

New kippah!


Lindsay's grandfather wore this prayer shawl many years ago for his Bar Mitzvah. He passed it down to Lindsay's father to wear at his Bar Mitzvah. Today, it was passed down to Lindsay to wear for her Bat Mitzvah.


Passing of the prayer shawl.


Reading from the Torah.

The Torah.


Lindsay had to carry the Torah around the guests.


Proudly carrying the Torah.



After all the prayers & readings, Steve & Janet gave Lindsay her very own prayer shawl that she can pass down to her daughters.


This service was so neat! I had to wipe away tears not once but twice. So moving! Congratulations on your Bat Mitzvah Lindsay!!!
My favorite saying from the service: O Rock of Israel, come to Israel's help.

1 comment:

sbaily said...

Sounds like a wonderful ceremony. Having grown up in a Jewish community in Seattle and going to school with a great number of Hebrew friends, this was a great honor to be invited. I know how much you enjoyed it.