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Jul. 15th, 2001 12:02 pmI knew we were going to Amanda's Bat Mitzvah. What I didn't know was that we were part of the program! We found that out at 0700, after I had been up until 0230 watching The Longest Day on AMC.
So what do we get to do? Open the ark. This is a *big thing* as I understand it, and being the type of person that I am, I really wanted to make sure that I didn't screw up Amanda's big day, she obviously was nervous enough. So I ask the Mom-in-Law for a little instruction. We get it. But we're not sure exactly when to go up, Ask for more clarifications. We get it.
We only screw up a little, since we didn't know that we were supposed to stand with Amanda and the rabbis at the front first. Luckily, they were prepared for the clueless. One of the rabbis even went out of his way to keep me on pace with the service, pointing out in the prayer book where we were. Since I have no ear for languages, this was very nice.
Amanda was amazing. I couldn't have done what she did with such poise and dignity. For those of you reading this who have never been to such a ceremony, the young person being honored performs much of the service! In Hebrew! She sang, chanted, and read in a steady voice that would do a speech coach proud. She even smiled once or twice.
After the ceremony, there was the reception, and yet another reminder of just how old I am. About a dozen girls, all around 13, running around in outfights that were likely to give weaker men heart attacks. Who authorized these girls to get hips? And other things? I really felt sorry for the three boys, I remember that age well. A couple of times one of them would try and approach the girls' table, on to met by the Wall of Women effect, and slink back to his table, defeated. I wish I could tell them that it gets easier, but it doesn't.
One of the girls didn't help matters by adjusting her thigh-high stocking right in front of the boys' table. You have never seen eyes so wide. Take heart fellas, you'll catch up eventually.
Then Stefan started the music for the "dance." Jr. High flashback! All the girls on one side, the three boys on the other, and never coming any closer than absolutely necessary. I had to keep myself from laughing several times, then he played the Macarena...
So what do we get to do? Open the ark. This is a *big thing* as I understand it, and being the type of person that I am, I really wanted to make sure that I didn't screw up Amanda's big day, she obviously was nervous enough. So I ask the Mom-in-Law for a little instruction. We get it. But we're not sure exactly when to go up, Ask for more clarifications. We get it.
We only screw up a little, since we didn't know that we were supposed to stand with Amanda and the rabbis at the front first. Luckily, they were prepared for the clueless. One of the rabbis even went out of his way to keep me on pace with the service, pointing out in the prayer book where we were. Since I have no ear for languages, this was very nice.
Amanda was amazing. I couldn't have done what she did with such poise and dignity. For those of you reading this who have never been to such a ceremony, the young person being honored performs much of the service! In Hebrew! She sang, chanted, and read in a steady voice that would do a speech coach proud. She even smiled once or twice.
After the ceremony, there was the reception, and yet another reminder of just how old I am. About a dozen girls, all around 13, running around in outfights that were likely to give weaker men heart attacks. Who authorized these girls to get hips? And other things? I really felt sorry for the three boys, I remember that age well. A couple of times one of them would try and approach the girls' table, on to met by the Wall of Women effect, and slink back to his table, defeated. I wish I could tell them that it gets easier, but it doesn't.
One of the girls didn't help matters by adjusting her thigh-high stocking right in front of the boys' table. You have never seen eyes so wide. Take heart fellas, you'll catch up eventually.
Then Stefan started the music for the "dance." Jr. High flashback! All the girls on one side, the three boys on the other, and never coming any closer than absolutely necessary. I had to keep myself from laughing several times, then he played the Macarena...
