We have now been back in Jacksonville for almost two weeks and have not stopped talking about Rebecca's bat mitzvah. It could not have been more beautiful. Caren and I want to thank you for your role in this wonderful family event. You made everyone comfortable at the service, guided us beautifully and spoke beautifully (and as if you had known us for years). Thank you so much!

Larry Appel
Jacksonville, FL

What a trip! What an awesome bar mitzvah! We realize that it was far from the traditional-but it was just perfect for us….and that couldn’t have happened without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all you brought to this momentous occasion. It was meaningful, low key, beautiful and very appropriate-everything we could have wanted! Although Jacob has been reluctant to attend a service since, Alain and I know that the event brought him that much closer to his religious identity and sense of place. It is a rare leader that can accomplish that with such flexibility, warmth and kindness. It was a pleasure to meet you. Jacob, also, has a few words of thanks-if you could send your address, he will be able to mail off his note.

Warmest wishes and fondest regards,
Marit, Alain and family

We wrote this in the hope that 1) more families consider doing Bnai Mitzvah in Jerusalem, and 2) to put interested families in touch with our dear and talented friend Rabbi David Ebstein. David and his wife Rena made the Bat Mitzvah an incredible experience for our family and guests. With their warmth, experience, and knowledge about rituals, buses, and "how to do the Bar/Bat Mitzvah," we didn't have to worry about a thing. So, if you know anyone who may be interested, please pass this email along.

by Dr. Dan Oren and Jeanette Kuvin Oren

On June 30th our daughter, Amalyah, became a Bat Mitzvah at Robinson¹s Arch, next to the 2000 year-old Western Wall that supported the steps that led to The Holy Temple. Amalyah led the Rosh Chodesh service, read from the Torah, and delivered a D¹var Torah in English and in Hebrew. It was one of the most precious days of our lives. What made today even more wonderful? Because we were in the pulsing heart of the Jewish people; the blood and breath and spirit of the place and the moment will live with us, with our parents and family, and with our daughters forever.

Every Jewish family might wish to consider this extraordinary opportunity. Located in a quiet and protected setting a few steps to the right of the Kotel, the Davidson Archaeological Park contains Robinson¹s Arch as a small archaeological remnant of the walls that supported the Temple foundation. The space has been made available by the Masorti movement as an egalitarian setting for B¹nai Mitzvah and other simchas. There is plenty of room for guests, and during the morning Shacharit and Torah service, it is shady and surprisingly cool.

While we love and are active in our synagogue in Connecticut, we felt an intense emotional and spiritual desire to have our younger daughter become a Bat Mitzvah in Israel. We had no idea the experience would be so uplifting. Our 80 guests sat on chairs under arches and on wide, smooth stones as Amalyah led the weekday service in front of the same wall that our ancestors walked beside. She held the Torah to be kissed by religious and non-religious Israeli friends, most of whom had never seen a girl read Torah and who had never been or even known of this magical site. Our dear friend Rabbi David Ebstein (who lives with his family in Jerusalem) officiated with warmth and wisdom, reminding us that "The Torah is portable; Israel is not." Jews can live, learn, and adapt to anywhere in the world. But Israel is our heart, and we must come to it. Amalyah brought with her an excellent Solomon Schechter-school education and her family and a lasting commitment to be part of an Israel-centered Jewish world.

How easy was it to have this kind of Bat Mitzvah? Incredibly simple! In these security conscious days in Israel, we were pleased to learn that the Robinson¹s Arch setting is continuously and discreetly guarded from the risks that today¹s challenging times bring. While U.S. tourists are small in number these days, the Israel experience is no less powerful than ever.