Alexa Z.

(all photographs by the generous and talented Joy Kollmer)

Alexa’s parents called me in the Spring, tentatively wondering whether I would officiate a bat mitzvah service for her. The family had recently made a big move, from the East Coast to Ohio. That, along with a bunch of other craziness, had kept the family from settling into a synagogue family.

Photo Credit: Joy Kollmer (http://www.kollmerphoto.com/)

What was more, Alexa is not the kind of girl who loves to get up and sing in front of a crowd. A huge sanctuary service full of pomp and circumstance was absolutely not right for her.

Could we create a low-key ceremony that showed off Alexa’s witty sense of humor, deep love for her family, and dedication to Judaism, without spending years learning to chant an entire service plus Torah?

Of course we could.

Photo Credit: Joy Kollmer (http://www.kollmerphoto.com/)

Alexa worked hard over the next several Sundays that we studied together.  Painstakingly, she practiced prayers in Hebrew and English until her pronunciation and pace were perfect. She learned to lead a Havdalah service.

Coolest of all, she studied Torah with me, and learned about the importance of dogs and other pets in our tradition.

I know she taught every person attending her service something they hadn’t known about Judaism – which is the whole point!

Photo Credit: Joy Kollmer (http://www.kollmerphoto.com/)

I’m so excited to see what’s next for Alexa – and so proud to call her, Mike, Amy, and Justin part of the Your Ohio Rabbi family.

Photo Credit: Joy Kollmer (http://www.kollmerphoto.com/)