Moses and Me

Forty-six years ago, (Fifty-four years after the first Bat Mitzvah), a young woman stood at the lectern to give her D'var Torah and chant her Haftarah. Shaking like a leaf in a storm, the nervous twelve year old version of myself began her prepared remarks. I was nervous because I was just the third female in my congregation to become Bat Mitzvah during the Shabbat morning service. My father (z"l) and mother (in addition to making about a hundred Israeli chocolate cheesecake slices) had coached me on the presentation of my speech.My eldest brother had tutored me in the chanting of the Haftarah and of the bit of Torah, including the repetition of the Ten Commandments, that I incorporated into my remarks.To make absolutely clear to the congregation that I had not snuck a Torah up there, I had to deliver my remarks from the smaller of the two lecterns! As we used to say,

"You've come a long way, baby!"

If you know of a Rabbi,Cantor, or Educator who might want to celebrate a milestone in her service to the community, or if you are one yourself, please consider treating her/yourself to  a custom made kippah. You can see my work at: www.renaissancewomankippot.org