August 26, 2016 – Temple Emanu-El, FL

Ah, The Bat-Mitzvah – the moment a young lady becomes a daughter of the Torah; the next generation to carry the torch; the passing of traditions from mother to daughter. If you are orthodox, you disregard the moment. If you are conservative or reform, you embrace, celebrate, and rejoice. Our Mia honored us with her sweet voice as she gently, calmly and confidently chanted from the Torah. The picture represents community, support, generations, months of study, and marks the transition from childhood to quasi-adulthood as the teen years bear down. While there will be battles to fight and revolutions to be won between parent and teenager, this moment is to be cherished. I am filled with pride to be so intertwined with this family. Like Mia stated in her sermon about the Torah portion, “My family may not be perfect, but they are just right for me.” It is the moment of realization that all imperfections disappear, perfection is tantamount, and “this too shall pass.