April 11, 2005

Jewish Agency, Israel Department
Partnership(s) 2000 Projects / Afula, Gilboa
48 King George St., P.O.B. 92, Jerusalem

RE: A Bat Mitzvah Story

To Whom It May Concern:

Both of my brothers had Bar Mitzvah services, but as a girl growing up in Israel where the Orthodox Community holds the power of religion, I never had the chance to become a Bat Mitzvah.  When I came here to the states, I discovered a whole new world of religion - something I didn't know before, suddenly girls could read from the Torah and they could even have a Bat Mitzvah.  The whole thing was wired a weird experience for me.  I wasn't familiar with this different way of practicing Judaism. Nevertheless, as the expression goes "don't fight them, join them."  I decided to stay open minded and to see where I belonged in all of this.

The answer didn't come straight ahead.  One day when I was talking to Cantor Laura Berman and Lisa Pressman I said that I had never read from the Torah and that I would like to know how to chant the Te'amim. They were so surprised when I said that I had never had a Bat Mitzvah.   They though that as an Israeli I would have had the ceremony due to Israel being a Jewish state after all. It was from this conversation that I realized I too could have my rite of passage and read from the Torah.  The whole idea of me having a Bat Mitzvah made me so happy, excited, and nervous all at the same time.  I decided to make the service for when my parents were coming to visit so that they could also share in my joy. My host families are helping me a lot and they will take part in this special day.

When people started to ask me what I wanted for presents I told them that I did not want any, because I am doing this for myself and for my community.  Then I realized, what a great idea it would be to ask people to make a donation to an organization that is close to my heart instead of the presents.  I chose "Yated" kids with downs syndrome as my charity of choice.  I had volunteered there with other kids on my kibbutz for the last two summers.  I hope the money will be of great use to them, and at the same time it pleases me greatly to be able to help. This year has been a wonderful experience for me.  It is another world I am living in, a whole different way of life; and one that I will miss so very much when I return to Israel.

Sincerely,
 
Ofri Alterlevy

P.S.  I would like to say thank you to Cantor Laura Berman, Lisa Pressman, Rabbi Robert Tobin and the whole community of Westport Weston Wilton Norwalk.  Also, I would especially like to thank my host families; who have supported me and encouraged me through the whole process.  On a final note thank you UJA Federation of Southern New England Consortium for sponsoring the Young Emissaries Program, because without you none of this would have been possible.