Sunday, February 17, 2013

Tetzaveh

Zach S., Temple Emanuel Newton, February 16, 2013

Zachy was at Rashi with you for the first few years of elementary school,  distinguishing himself as a very smart and unique learner.  You had lots of fun participating with him in a Lego League after school, where you went to the regional championships and learned so much.
He chanted from the Torah in a most unusual manner, imitating Cantor Rosenberg's booming baritone voice. It was clear that it wasn't his own voice, but imitation is the purest form of flattery. Zachy's dvar talked about the Operating systems of OS and Linux as metaphors for Judaism and Atheism, and questioned his own following of parts of Judaism.


Unfortunately, the Bar and Bat Mitzvahs from last weekend (Lily and Jack P, and Jordan W and Jordan T) had to be cancelled due to the Blizzard of 2013!  Both have been rescheduled, and updates to the blog will be made then.  Lily and Jack got their service in at the tail end of the snowfall, but many of the guests could't make it due to shoveling out and unsafe driving conditions.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Yitro

Alyssa B.   B'nai Or of Boston, Newton, MA  Feb 2, 2013

Alyssa's family belongs to this Jewish Renewal Synagogue, housed at the Andover Newton Theological Seminary campus.  It's pretty interesting how many synagogues meet on the campus of a theology seminary! Alyssa led the services, which included a lot of singing, and even some dancing in the aisles as we arrived!
The fun party was at the Hellenic Cultural Center.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Beshalach

Jessica F., Jan 26, 2013  Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA

Jessica was the epitome of confidence and poise as she led most of the service and chanted from the torah.  Her speech about being a leader, which she compared to Nachshon crossing the Red Sea, was very moving.  She talked about moving from NJ to Boston a few years back, and how she was the face of courage to her younger siblings.  Rebecca spoke about the Rashi school's 5 core values and how Jessica embodied them, her lovely grandmother presented her a tallit that they made together, and friend Marcie sang a prayer as the Rabbi blessed her.  The party was at the Needham Sheraton, and fun was had by all.


Monday, January 21, 2013

Beshalach

Bayla H.  Chabad of Lexington, Jan 20, 2013

Bayla gave a beautiful d'var torah at Chabad, surrounded by family and friends.  Her theme was Under the Sea, to commemorate the parting of the Red Sea.  She gave a fitting tribute to her beloved Bubbie Mindy, who passed away earlier this year.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Va'eira

Chabad of Lexington, Jan 12, 2013


The Z. twins don't go to Chabad, but their dad occasionally comes and wanted to do something special.  So they were called to the Torah this shabbat, after having become Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emunah earlier this year.  Then they did a different kind of d'var torah.  They had a dialogue, one boy acting as Moses, the other as Abraham, about leadership, comparing the styles and situations in which each were leaders.  It was quite entertaining, thoughtful and interesting.





Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Shemot

Matti H., Temple Beth Elohim, Jan 5, 2013

The first Bat Mitzvah of the year, after vacation, and the natives were restless!  But that didn't stop Matti from speaking eloquently about the importance of teachers, being patient, and calm.  And her teacher was Phyllis, our lovely next door neighbor.  The party was at the Verve all afternoon.


Mikeitz

Molly W. Temple Beth Avodah, December 15, 2012

Molly's is the last of 2012, and her parshah was of Pharoah's dream.  It is fitting since the kids perform songs from Joseph in the 4th grade.  Her party was fun at the Henderson House.