Lia,

This is my favorite part of the Bat Mitzvah celebration. Parents get up, hearts bursting with pride and say wonderful things about their children.

There are so many wonderful things to say about you but I’ll try to keep this short.

First, you are so lucky to be blessed with a wonderful mind. Dad and I realized we had an unusual child when you were reading books and dictating stories when child development guides said you should be learning to wave bye-bye.

All who know you admire your enthusiasm, energy creativity and dynamic personality.

But most important of all, I love your goodness and kind heart.

In your D’var Torah this morning, you said how lucky you are to have so many people on your side. You do have many friends, family, allies and fans. Please know that I am your biggest fan. I will always applaud your victories and walk with you through trials and mistakes. I look at your face and I am so proud of who you are and I’m so proud of who I am because of the honor and privilege of being your mother.

You have brains, beauty and a creative spirit and you’re not afraid to ask for advice.

If you’ve had a chance to view our display on the panels over there, you know that dozens of people have responded to an unusual letter-writing project that has occupied the Lehrer family for the past few months.

We created a list of 100 names of famous and less-famous Jews in al walks of life. Lia composed a letter in which she asked for words of advice as she approached this milestone in her life.

Michael and his friend Avi researched addresses. We all stuffed and stamped 100 envelopes, dropped them in the mail, and we waited.

The first response came from Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago Bulls. He wrote "Two of life’s most important lessons are learned on the way to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. One is that life’s most worthwhile achievements do not come without hard work and the loyal support of family and friends. The other is that the process of learning never ends."

The responses started pouring in.

Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel sent an inscribed copy of his book "Night."

Jeff Zaslow, who writes a column for the Chicago Sun-Times quoted Lia’s letter in the newspaper. "As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors," he wrote, "you understand how blessed you are to reach this moment."

We heard from U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman, Arlen Specter, and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg.

Jerry Greenfield, of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, sent ice cream coupons and advised Lia to find her passion in life and pursue it.

Jerry Seinfeld did not respond, but our own Dr. Irwin Benuck—Lia’s pediatrician did. He complimented Lia for picking the right family.

That Dr. Benuck—great doctor, and smart man.

Finally, the most succinct letter—and Jonathan’s favorite—came from comedian Buddy Hackett. He sent and autographed picture on which he wrote, "I know very little about Bat Mitzvah, but being a good and caring person handles everything."

That just about sums up all the other letters.

We hope you’ll read all the letters and take a moment to add your own words of advice for Lia.