Raven Kaplan-Karlich
May 21, 2016
I have learned a great deal by working towards my Bat Mitzvah.
Through writing my Family History paper, I learned new things about my parents. For example, I learned that when my dad was growing up, his family felt that they didn’t fit in their Brooklyn neighborhood as it became increasingly Orthodox. Since I sometimes feel like an outsider, I related to this.
I was very surprised to learn that my mom’s secular Jewish family sometimes celebrated the holidays with a Christmas tree. It was fun to learn something brand new about my mom.
Through writing my Family Values paper, I got to ask my grandmother about her values and beliefs before she died. Those were the most important questions I ever asked her. I will cherish her answers forever.
My Beliefs paper really reflects who I am, although now I would add that I believe in equal rights for all human beings.
My Role Model paper showed me how like my grandmother I am. Like her, I care deeply about injustices to women and minorities. Like her, I don’t quest for money or fame.
My Major Project, about growing up as a humanistic Jew, made me see that I’ve learned to be strong and unafraid to speak my mind.
Through my community service, I’ve learned how much I enjoy helping others of my own free will, and not because someone else tells me to do so.
My parents both made it clear from the beginning that it was my choice whether or not to have a Bat Mitzvah. I believe that now they are very pleased that I have done so. My mom says it was “a real growth experience” for me.
And now I would like to express my thanks to all those who have helped me get to this very special day.
Thank you, Mom, for being there every step of the way. You are so accepting of me, no matter what. I really needed you throughout this Bat Mitzvah process. I love you so much!
Thank you, Dad. You, too, have been there for me, even though you like to say I’ll “be the death of you.” I love you.
Thank you to my mentor, Janice, for not giving up on me for three years, and for turning my “gibberish” into words. Just saying thanks isn’t enough to express how much you have helped me.
Thank you, Rabbi Peter, for supporting me, and for not being dismissive of my ideas, even when they were “outside the box.”
Thank you, Isabel, for running such a terrific Bar and Bat Mitzvah program. Thank you, Aram. Back when I was a little girl, I told you that I would “force” you to play at my Bat Mitzvah, and guess what has finally happened!
Thank you to my friends. You are all very important to me.
Finally, thank you to all my guests today for sitting through my (long!)
Bat Mitzvah and for (I hope!) staying awake. You have made this special day even more special.
