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Heshvan 5760 Dear Lia, Please excuse the long delay in answering your letter of September 12. It came around the time of the High Holidays and unfortunately was misplaced. In going through my files recently, I found your letter and request for thoughts concerning your Bat Mitzvah. First, let me say that I was very happy to hear from you and to learn about your family after so many years. Please extend my best wishes to your parents. It makes me very happy to hear about their lives after being involved in the beginning of their marriage. Concerning your Bat Mitzvah, Lia, I would begin by agreeing that as a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors your Bat Mitzvah has added significance. Your grandparents and Jews throughout the ages have make sacrifices to preserve our sacred Jewish tradition survival, so it will be available to you and, hopefully, your own children in the future. Our tradition cannot survive unless you accept your heritage fully and voluntarily at your Bat Mitzvah. To accept your heritage means more than expressing your embrace of Judaism through words. Actions are required on your part every day for the rest of your life. Most importantly, you will have to commit yourself to the ongoing study of our tradition so you can understand it as an adult. It will not be sufficient for you to take your child's knowledge of Judaism into your adult life and expect your child's understanding to inspire you as you grow older. In high school and college, you advance your studies in many areas, so you should pursue Judaism on a higher and higher level. Furthermore, it is important that you include Jewish observance as a part of your life. The rituals of our traditions remind us of our relationship with God. As we are aware of that relationship, we are more aware of our responsibility to act in godly ways toward others. So, in brief, my advice to you is to regard your Bat Mitzvah as a time when you commit yourself to learning and observance to preserve the traditions of your grandparents and parents. The tradition is so beautiful and wise that you will never be disappointed for the effort you give to acquiring your heritage for yourself. My best wishes to you and your family at this most significant time of your life. Please let me know of your feelings on becoming a Bat Mitzvah Shalom, Rabbi William Lebeau Go to the next page, or jump to one of the letters listed below.
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