"Ta'amod Shoshana bat Hannah!"

"Please stand, Shoshana daughter of Hannah!" Shoshana is my Hebrew name, and those are the words I heard today as I was called to read Torah for my Anshe Mitzvah! Though I wasn't Bat Mitzvah when we were living in Hawaii during middle school, it's something that I always wanted to do. And I wasn't alone! So since October 2009, my twelve classmates and I have spent nearly every Sunday morning relearning Hebrew, practicing singing/reciting prayers, and learning our Torah portions for our Anshe (adult) Mitzvah!

The big event began last night with a dinner for all of us and our families. Then we had a tallis (prayer shawl) ceremony! Mom and Beth put my prayer shawl on me, which was a very special moment. (My shawl was an extremely thoughtful gift from Uncle Marvin in Melbourne, Australia.)

Our class was the largest in Judea Reform's Anshe Mitzvah history, so on Friday night, five of my classmates read Torah in front of the congregation. THEN...we were back at the synagogue on Saturday morning where we led all of the prayers (except for the Mourner's Kaddish) and handled the service choreography, too. There was a lot to remember!

Then each of us read Torah! After much debate (and then hours and hours of practicing), I actually chanted my Torah portion! Thanks to a lot of adrenaline, I even hit some of my hard-to-reach notes! Then I spoke about how the piece I read--Exodus 32:11-14 (about Moses reminding G-d of his promise to stick by the Israelites after He learns of the Golden Calf)--was meaningful to me (and my classmates). I had a lot support from friends...and both of our families came for the big occasion! And (drumroll please!)...here is the Anshe Mitzvah Class of 2011, along with our fearless leader and both rabbis!

Here we are at the celebratory lunch...we were starving after 2 1/2 hours!!

It was an amazing two days...and I'm thrilled that I am finally Bat Mitzvah. (It only took me twenty years!) This experience has felt incredibly meaningful and gratifying, especially since I chose to pursue it as an adult.

P.S. Sammy and Brie had A LOT of fun with all of the relatives in town this weekend. Here is the proof!

Yay! Two grandmas!!

Cousin Colin was VERY sweet with Baby Brie!
Brie snoozin' through most of the Friday night dinner...

Steph and cousin Laura

Sammy and Nonno--chowing down... and reading lots of animal books!

Brie in her shirt dress from Mexico!
Granddaddy Rob and Sammy engrossed in some fine literatureSammy and Nonno on the train at the museum!

Brie eating banana with Auntie B and Granddaddy :-)