Published on: December 22, 2015

Hello everyone.

Welcome Rabbi Wol-burg, Cantor

Al-brect, friends, and family. I’m so happy to see you all here for my Bar Mitzvah.

I’m happy to be doing this because it’s part of growing up and becoming a bigger part of my Jewish community.

Some of my favorite Jewish traditions with my family are celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Hannukah.

On Hannukah, we get to open presents, light the menorah, and I love to play dreidel with my sister, Serena. You spin the dreidel and see if you get a gimmel, hay, nun, or shin.

And on every Friday night, my mom says the prayers and lights the candles for Shabbat.

I didn’t know too much about the Hebrew language before I learned the prayers.

I also learned that the Torah is the Jewish book of laws and teachings.

Becoming a Bar Mitzvah is really important to me because it’s part of growing up.

To get ready for my Bar Mitzvah I had to learn Hebrew words and practice the prayers, write my speech, and learn about the synagogue.

I really liked learning a new language because I like to learn new things.

Something I’m good at is helping out my friends. I’m also good with math; it’s really easy for me.

I don’t like it when people annoy me.

Sometimes I have a hard time with doing chores at home and exercising.

And sometimes school and life can be boring or difficult.

But I know it can also be fun!

I feel really happy when I am playing games with my family.

One of my favorite things to do is play a game with my sister.

I like to play chutes and ladders or candyland with her.

I think my family likes it when I hang out with them.

One of the strategies to get me through things that are hard for me is to take breaks.

Another strategy is to take deep breaths. I’ve learned it’s important to use my words when I’m mad.

I am proud of myself when I do hard work.

There are a lot of people who inspire me and I want to say thank you.

First of all, thank you Cantor Al-Brecht for your great singing.

Thank you Rabbi Wol-burg for helping me prepare for my Bar Mitzvah.

Thank you Parker, Tess, and all my friends. You inspire me to be nice and I like to hang out with you guys.

Thank you to my Shafer Center team, like Amanda, Mark, Devin and Caroline.

You have helped me with work at school, practicing at the synagogue, learning the prayers and helped me with my speech. Thank you Christine for helping us for such a long time and thanks for being a great family friend.

Thank you Yaya for babysitting me and for giving me food.

Thank you Uncle and Angel for coming over to the house and helping my mom.

Thank you Mimi and ZZ, for making great dinners.

Thank you Grandma and Pop Pop, for the awesome sleepovers.

Thank you Serena for helping me out, and being the best sister ever, and I always have fun with you!

Thank you Dad for the best things you give me and for all the good things you do for me.

Thank you mom for all the coupons you give me and you are a good mom.

Thank you everyone for coming to my Bar Mitzvah!

I hope you have a great time!