In the song Chazak, Dan Nichols writes, “We have come from near and far to raise our voice in song. And the more we join in the refrain, the more we feel strong.”
It continues, “There is a power in this place and time, it shapes the rest of our lives.” He’s talking about camp,
of course, but the words place and time, apply to us here today.
Place – this Synagogue is your place.
As a toddler you probably spent more waking hours in this building than at home. Your kindergarten class became expert in avoiding the construction dust and debris as the building was remodeled. Even now, on Sunday, you come here to discuss and learn about Judaism, and, to spend time with your friends. Maybe more to spend time with your friends than studying, but never mind. This is your place, and today, I hope it takes on new meaning as you affirm your commitment to our IHC community.
Today, your place – this building – is filled with people who have come from near and far to raise their voice in song with you. So today is about time too!
When parents bless our daughters on Shabbat we are supposed to say,
“May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel.” – like the matriarchs of the Jewish people. For your Bat Mitzvah, this Shabbat, Mom and I echo this blessing with our own words.
We named you for Bubbe Celia and Papa Irving to honor them, but part of giving a name is also a hope that you will live in a way that honors their memory as well.
You share with my mother, Celia, being a good student. She traveled far to come to this place, from Lithuania through China for a period of years, landing in San Francisco – and onto Indiana. Just like you, she was an honors student in both high school and college. She graduated from Butler at the height of the depression and she was the founder of Star China. When I was growing up, our house was like Rhonda’s house in our neighborhood, the place for picnics and parties and mom was the driving force.
And I can’t talk about my mom without talking about Zadye. One of my happiest memories is the day we brought you home from the hospital and I placed you into Zadye’s arms. I am most proud of dad for the kind of man he was. He was loyal to his friends and put his family above all else. I see that in you, the way you interact with all your friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, no matter their age. Whether it is sea kayaking with Aunt Janice, riding amusement park rides with Sam, skiing with David or Apple and Andrew, needlepointing with Naomi, or sharing GUCI with Eliza and Leah.
With Nana Renée, you share a concern for your community and those around you. Nana was part of a group called the Panel of American Women. The Panel was comprised of women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. They made presentations to local community groups about their experiences growing up, and started dialogues about race and religion to promote understanding.
Nana and Papa Milt together changed their Temple, making it more inclusive. At that time girls were not allowed to read from the Torah. They wrote to the Temple board and asked for their daughter, your Mom, to read from Torah. It was a long, acrimonious fight, but in the end Mom and other girls after her read from the Torah at their Bat Mitzvah.
You have done this sort of thing too with your websites and displays concerning the women of the Suffragist Movement, girls’ education, and most recently, the Women of the Wall. For your Bat Mitzvah project, you raised money, shopped for food, and delivered it to the Washington Township Schools’ transportation center to confront the problem of hunger in our community. And you always help Mom with Sisterhood and Temple events.
There are so many here with whom you share many qualities and who, when they are brought together convey the sort of strength that Dan Nichols talks about in his song.
Aunt Elaine moved with two toddlers to Okinawa to provide a home for Uncle Lennie while he was stationed there. At that time, the Marine Corp didn’t allow wives to accompany their husbands and provided no support. Aunt Lily was the first woman to head the national Italian-American Bar Association. Aunt Shari, Aunt Salie, Leah, Alex, Joani, Jeff, Rachel and Yael have all made a home in Israel at one time or another.
So, here is the blessing Mom and I have for you today – the Shabbat you are called for the first time to the Torah to read –
“May you be like those who have gathered to celebrate with us today – may you link yourself to those who came before and those of us here who love you.
May you be like Bubbe and Zadye – making the most of where life leads you, enjoying and being strengthened by your family. May you be like Nana and Papa, seeking to make your community more inclusive. From Papa Irving’s name, we gave you the English name Irene, meaning peaceful and the Hebrew name Lev or heart. May your heart always know peace. May you be like your aunts, uncles, and cousins: Bringing the world closer and helping others find the strength they need. Finally, and most importantly, you have a good head, an open heart, and strong hands; may you use all of your gifts, talents and abilities to be strong for yourself.”