Emerson M - A Third Generation Bat Mitzvah at Clintonville Park of Roses

I met Emerson on a cold, rainy Sunday, just as we were coming up on two years of being inside and masked for COVID. She and her family (not least her dog Nash!) were the brightest spot in my week!

She told me all about how she’d been attending Hebrew and religious school like a champ, all while juggling school, figure skating competitions, and helping with her business, Sweet E’s Cookies. Wow! I was exhausted just hearing about it.

Well, COVID really put a wrench in everyone’s plans. Going to synagogue in-person for religious school just wasn’t in the cards for the M family for the last few years. Still, there was no way Emerson wanted to skip her bat mitzvah.  It’s very important to her family. Her mom grew up in NFTY, the Reform movement’s youth group, and her grandmother did the same. Both women celebrated a bat mitzvah surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. They wanted that for Emerson, too.

Photo Credit: Big House Photography

Emerson’s grandparents presented her with her grandfather’s tallis, gifted in a bag that had belonged to her great-great grandfather. Most importantly, they wanted Emerson’s bat mitzvah to be a celebration of everything she’d learned, and of her own relationship to her faith.

There was QUITE a crowd. Each and every guest surrounded Emerson with so much love and support. Her parents gave a beautiful speech, reminding her to always look around for the people who love her and will be there to lift her up and encourage her.

Because NFTY memories were so important to Emerson’s mom, she wanted to me to find someone to play guitar, for the service, including all the old classics. My friend Jacob came through with Oseh Shalom, Shehecheyanu, and Hinei Mah Tov. His music really made the ceremony sparkle.

Photo credit: bighousephotos.com

 Emerson led everyone in a few prayers, including the Shema and V’ahavta. She gave a beautiful d’var Torah on her portion, Acharei Mot, using some childhood stories that made the whole crowd laugh. Of course, we finished the ceremony with everyone’s flame-filled favorite – Havdalah!

Mazal Tov, Emerson! It was a joy to work with you.