bar mitzvah! That experience! It is something that will always be remembered as a unique experience for me. My first exposure to Jewish life was after moving to Austin and reaching out to many clients and friends of the Jewish faith. My next exposure was the opportunity to study Judaism in the History of World Religions class. Also, two of my spiritual companions, Stan and Mel, are Jewish. For a gentile, I was very quickly catapulted into something I didn’t know.

The first Bar Mitzvah I went to was at the Agudas Archim Congregation with one of my spiritual companions. Mel invited me to go with him and I was delighted. Mel was also the young man’s godfather. Mel informed me that the service started at ten in the morning, however, that time was for religious only, and I could be there fifteen to twenty minutes after ten. Being late is unusual for me, but I complied.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by young ushers. I walked in and saw Mel. He moved me and I stood next to him. Mel handed me a book and gave me the page number. Well, that’s when the “difference” began!

To my shame, I couldn’t figure out the book. She was always upside down! I kept going over and over it, and I still didn’t get it. Mel explained that in Hebrew, the writing is from left to right as are the page numbers. We had a good laugh at my embarrassment and proceeded to listen to the service.

I listened and immediately realized that it was in Hebrew, with very little English. I was able to read in English, which I did, and found the Torah lesson of great interest as it portrayed the dietary laws of Jewish life. Finding my reading was so much quicker than the lesson I was reading, I was able to look around! As I looked around, I noticed that the majority of the congregation were men and had similar characteristics! I was immediately introduced to the stereotype of a Jewish man, and I looked at Mel, and he sure did look like everyone else! The few women who were there had the same features and characteristics. The atmosphere was solemn and somewhat dark by nature. The congregation was there for a purpose and that was to receive the lesson of the day.

After the ceremony, Mel took me to the Ark and showed me the Torah, explained the symbols in the synagogue, and answered many questions. This whole experience was new to me and one to remember.

A month later I again had the opportunity to participate in another Bar Mitzvah, this time at Congregation Beth Israel. This time the son of my other spiritual partner, Stan, became a Bar Mitzvah and I was invited to the entire weekend celebration that began with the Shabbat Service on Friday. Upon entering the temple I immediately noticed the difference between the synagogue and the temple. The sanctuary was different, the atmosphere was different, the energy was different. Many women attended, bright colors were used, and there were happy talks and hugs. A few men wore the Yarmulke and I noticed only one man wore the Tallit. (In the synagogue, only a few men did not use either.)

Saturday morning, during the Sabbath Service, was the actual ceremony in which Zach became a Bar Mitzvah. Once again, as I entered the temple, I noticed the same atmosphere as the night before. Bright, happy and loud! The ceremony was similar to the synagogue in a sense, with the immediate and extended family participating in the service reading the Torah, the procession through the congregation with the Torah, the Bar Mitzvah speaking to the congregation, and the parents speaking with the. The difference was that most of the service was in English, with the exception of the Torah reading and some of the cantor’s singing in the most angelic voice I have ever heard. There was no Cantor in the synagogue.

After the completion of the service, (in both cases) blessings were made over wine and bread before the Kiddush lunch. Lunch at the temple was wonderful with traditional Jewish foods (donuts and smoked salmon, kugel and latke). They were all foods that I was familiar with, they made and I didn’t realize they were Jewish! After picking up our buffet-style food, my husband and I decided to sit at an empty table with the idea of ​​”seeing who shows up at our table”. Soon three elderly couples sat down with us. After the introductions they realized that we were not Jewish. Their welcome was like nothing he had ever experienced before. He was very warm, loving and spiritual. They made sure that we were honored guests at their temple.

Dinner and dancing in the evening is “something to remember”! What party! The reception at the Four Seasons Hotel began with cocktails and appetizers, followed by a wonderful three-course meal. The seating arrangement was pre-arranged by the family so that we could sit with people we knew or had a common bond with. The decorations were fabulous and a live band played throughout the night. There were about two
one hundred and seventy-five people there, one hundred of whom were Zach’s schoolmates (Jews and Gentiles). The atmosphere was “high”, with lots of laughter and dancing. Zach and immediate family were of great attention throughout the dance.
with many traditions carried out. One was the Hora where the Bar Mitzvah and each member of the immediate family stand up in a chair and the guests dance around them. Another tradition was for the father to twirl around each member of the immediate family, holding each end of a handkerchief as the guests danced around him. It is not known when these traditions originated or the meaning, but they certainly created a lot of excitement and fun.

It is difficult to put into words the feeling I have from this experience. Fortunately, I discussed the rituals that took place over the weekend with my Jewish friends and read up on the traditions, customs, and values ​​to be prepared for the experience. Still, it was overwhelming for me, but in an exciting way. Many aspects of the Jewish way of life represent the diversity, joy, and fulfillment that go into a complete life. This experience gives me a better understanding of my two spirit partners, their way of life and how they fit into my life. This experience also gave me a confirmation that although my spiritual companions are of a different faith and lifestyle than mine, there are many parallels and we are connected by a Higher Power, Source, Spirit, God.