Posted on December 2, 2015
I would like to say that it’s hard to believe that my son’s Bar Mitzvah is right around the corner but I do believe it. Heck, I’ve been nagging him daily to practice for months. As I watch him planted in front of the computer with some kind of action video game, I interrupt with, “Shane! Did you review your Torah verses? Shane! You say you want to surpass your sister but if that is really what you want, then you must study. Shane! What do you mean you left your folder at the Temple!” Sigh! It’s hard to be a parent, I’ve come to conclude.
My son is his own person and almost a man. I’ve known for a while that he loves the color pink. Anticipating that he would want his tallit to be pink, I strategized on how to influence his decision. I told him, “Shane, you have a lot of choices with your tallit since its being made for you. Your tallit will be with you for many years and your tastes can change with time. What do you think about the tallit being a more neutral color and having pink accents or stitching?” I thought I was brilliant and clever. I thought I had this conversation nailed until he replied, “Mom, did you say the same thing to Gabriel when she wanted her tallit to be blue?” Dang! My son just accused me of being sexist. That really, really hurts. I just said dejectedly, “Whatever you want dear.” Sigh! It’s hard being a parent.
Nevertheless, we are looking forward to Shane celebrating his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday morning, January 16 at 10:30 a.m. Our congregation is invited to come to his ceremony and the Kiddush luncheon immediately following the service. We do need you to RSVP by January 1 if not before. We feel honored to have his Bar Mitzvah with our Temple Beth David community. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now excuse me, I’ve got to go back to nagging my son to study.