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January 2010 |
In my few short months as cantor of LNJC, little has given me more pleasure than the opportunity to stand beside your children as they make the congregation proud on their bar or bat mitzvah day. At press time, I’ve kvelled with Daniel, Zachary, Liana, Jeremy, Rachel, Jeffrey, Rachel and Jordan – along with their respective families. Not only am I treated to a delicious catered lunch afterwards, but I am also treated to the kids’ sense of achievement and satisfaction that come as a result of months of hard work and preparation. It’s an experience that’s truly priceless (despite how much the rest of the occasion may actually cost).
It is a very special day in the life of a young man or woman. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can never truly be replicated in our lives. A unique opportunity to stand before hundreds of friends, family members and fellow congregants and “show off” what one has achieved. The party later? Fuhgeddaboudit. THIS is the real deal.
As a kid, my own bar mitzvah training started at the age of 2 or so. My father was (and still is) cantor of a synagogue, and I went to shul with him regularly. As you might expect, I picked up his melodies quickly. I remember that by the age of 6 or 7, I would be sitting in the congregation, singing along louder than anyone else. The “regulars” were used to it, but I would always get strange looks from guests in the congregation. I didn’t care. I was having a good time singing with my dad at the top of my lungs, oblivious to those around me.
I’ve been so proud to watch our b’nai mitzvah students masterfully chant their haftarot. It is an incredible achievement, of which we all are incredibly proud. But today, when I ask many of my students if they can sing, say, the Shabbat Torah service, Kiddush or Ashrei, I am often met with blank stares.
I would LOVE to see our students take a greater role in leading the Shabbat service on their special day. But although our Hebrew school has done a phenomenal job teaching our students the basics of Hebrew language, prayers and holidays, there are certain skills that cannot be taught. They must be EXPERIENCED.
No doubt you’ve heard your clergy bother you to attend Shabbat services in the past. It is a unique and meaningful experience to sing, pray and be inspired together with your community. Blah, blah, blah. But if you’ve ignored the calls before, here’s good reason #527 to join us on a regular basis:
Our weekly Shabbat services are the absolute best way to prepare your children for their special day - long before formal bar/bat mitzvah training actually begins. It will teach them the songs we sing weekly as well as how the service is structured, and teach them what it means to be part of a community. And, who knows? You and your children might actually have a good time while you’re here.
You’ve waited thirteen long years for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Why not make the most of it? No matter how old your children may be, start bringing them to our Shabbat services this weekend. I personally GUARANTEE that when the time comes, your child’s bar or bat mitzvah experience will be MUCH more special and meaningful as a result.
Cantor Joshua Shron