For Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and their families these have been tough times with uncomfortable decisions. Who to invite to participate in person? Who to invite to participate on Zoom? How do we make sure everyone feels safe? Can we feel the sacredness of this lifecycle event out of doors in our backyard? The resounding answer has been YES! The silver lining is the intimacy achieved when between 20-30 people are in attendance. Laughter and tears of joy, singing and speaking all take place amidst the embrace of a small group of family and friends. Others who live far away and even from across the street, enthusiastically participate online from their own homes. With a copy of the service mailed to them in advance, they can read and sing right along with us. God’s Presence whispers to us from the surrounding trees and the sky above.
Molly and Zoey designed their own masks as part of their Mitzvah Projects. Molly baked organic dog biscuits and delivered them to a nearby animal shelter. Cole who had grown his thick golden hair very long was able to donate his ponytail to “Locks of Love.”