From the Adler Family
Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Adler
Shabbat Shalom!
It started nearly a year ago, when Rebecca, who loves to make dioramas decided to make one about her Parsha. There were so many parts to it and so many stories within the story that Lauren and I were confused. But not Rebecca. She explained every piece to us in excruciating detail – as she molded the clay into the face of Miriam, painted the horn that Moses blew, and set up, with fabrics, the tabernacle that everyone gathered around on the sandy desert which we glued onto the board. She had learned it all, and was connected to it all from the start….
Then came coronavirus and the sanctuary shut down. We heard that we would have the option of having a Zoom Mitzvah, but despite the reality, we kept holding on to the possibility of gathering together in the sanctuary. That was what Rebecca and our family had been waiting for since she was a tiny girl in the 2’s. Each day we tried to envision a service not surrounded by our community and our family. It has taken us a long time to let go of what we had envisioned and to try and re-imagine a different version of Rebecca’s becoming a Bat Mitzvah.
Just as in Rebecca’s D’var Torah, when Moses realizes he needs support from the elders to lead his people, we needed the support of others to help guide us. And then, finally, thanks to the gentle encouragement of Rabbi Brusso and Nili, and the pioneering of Rebecca’s classmates who came on zoom in the weeks before her, we were all able to embrace this day.
We have so much to be grateful for, a healthy family, wonderful friends and our whole Bet Torah community. Rebecca has a true connection to Judaism, and Israel thanks to Morah Mindy and all the preschool and religious school teachers over the years. We want to thank Cantor Herman for always putting smiles on our faces and keeping Bet Torah’s hymns joyful. Thank you to Robin Wald for nurturing Rebecca’s deep connection to Judaism and spirituality. Thank you to Loen Amer for all the fun events she plans for TLC. And of course, thanks to the “Goats” for having each other’s backs.
Thank you to all our friends and family that popped in virtually to be a part of this day and honor this wonderful milestone in Rebecca’s life. We hope you will join us in the near future for Rebecca’s “Sweat for Supplies,” fundraiser for Afiya, a company that collects unused medical supplies and ships to places in need, in or outside of the United States.
Stay Healthy,
Lauren, Bradley, Emily, Rebecca and Zachary
