A Bat Mitzvah to Cherish

By Sheila Offman Gersh, American Mothers of Israeli Olim Google Group Organizer

A Bat Mitzvah to Cherish

For the past three years I have been attending the Women’s League Bat Mitzvah class. I completed two levels of Hebrew classes and I am participating in a trope class. Women’s League will have its “official” Bat Mitzvah ceremony Monday July 17; but my granddaughter Maya’s Bat Mitzvah will be in Israel on Rosh Chodesh Av, July 19. 

When I learned that my trip to Israel to celebrate my granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah will  conflict with the Women’s League Bat Mitzvah celebration at the Triennial Convention in July 2023, I realized that I could not be in Schaumburg, Illinois for that celebration in person, but I will participate in pre-recording a prayer to be included in the Women’s League Bat Mitzvah celebration. 

In light of this, while planning a trip to Israel for this past February, I contacted Yochi Rappeport, the CEO of the Women of the Wall (WOW), requesting the opportunity to become a Bat Mitzvah at the WOW service on Rosh Chodesh. I received a beautiful response from Yochi and immediately made reservations for my trip to Israel to make sure I would be there for Rosh Chodesh Adar. In addition, I immediately started learning the first Aliyah for the Rosh Chodesh. I was determined to succeed.

I arrived in Israel on Wednesday, February 15, one week before my Bat Mitzvah. It was hard to sleep during that week as I was so nervous about a number of things – walking to meet the bus at 6 a.m. in Jerusalem, being at the Kotel and wondering what would happen on this Rosh Chodesh, and whether I was going to succeed in my reading of the first Aliyah.

Photo Credit: Tal Kfir Shur, https://talks.picflow.com/PITd1XzOIlrItR7W

On my second day in Israel, I received a text from the International President of Women’s League, Debbi Kaner Goldich, who was attending the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Israel Mission. She and WLCJ Executive Director, Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, would also be attending Women of the Wall. On Rosh Chodesh morning, when I met everyone at the Dung Gate, we received cloths of the Israeli flag. I already felt “at home.” I was introduced to many women, but most important was meeting the WLCJ international president. We all congregated, getting to know each other, and we started singing to get ready to go through security for the walk to the Kotel. While we were outside the gate, I was introduced to many as the “Bat Mitzvah girl” for that day’s service. Everyone was so pleased to meet me and they welcomed me to the service, on my “special” day. (I was not the 13-year-old who usually has her Bat Mitzvah at the Kotel; instead, I was a grandmother of six becoming a Bat Mitzvah.)

The time came to enter the Kotel Plaza, which meant we had to go through security, a normal/regular activity at the Kotel. However, something was different this time. Only one person was allowed in the area at a time. Each individual waited at the gate until the person in front had her items checked from the conveyor belt and she went through security. A guard stayed at the entrance waiting until I was fully through security before the next person was allowed to follow through. While this caused a delay, everyone got through security and we began the walk to the women’s section of the Kotel. Over on the men’s side, the men brought microphones to use for their service, with the purpose of disturbing the women’s service. They only bring microphones on Rosh Chodesh. However, the loud and joyous voices of the women were not going to be disturbed by the men.

There was an area blocked off for the woman for their service. On the other side of the semi-enclosed area, on the sideline, was a small group of female students who also tried to disrupt the women’s service. While they shouted at times and even blew a whistle, they did not succeed in disturbing the WOW service. WOW prayed loudly and we were a group of more than 500.

The women were so nice and proud of what I was accomplishing on that day. Everyone introduced to me was so happy to meet me. The comradery was outstanding. Women came together for the Rosh Chodesh service, and the togetherness, friendship and love in the air was evident.

The Rosh Chodesh morning service began with a huge group of women praying together. Since I attend morning Minyan each day, I was very familiar with the order of the service and could easily follow and participate in the service. While participating in the service, I wore a tallit that once belonged to my father. I had recently found it stored in my basement and immediately packed it for my trip.

There was singing and movement with many of the prayers. Most of the prayers were the same – sometimes the group sang an unfamiliar tune, but I was able to join in soon after it started. Once Hallel began, I knew that the “Torah” service was going to begin very soon. While WOW are not allowed to bring a Torah to the Wall, a large parchment paper is used which is an exact duplicate of how the Torah reading looks. (I just learned that they even have to sneak the parchment into the Kotel for the service.) I was called up for the first Aliyah, and with the greatest feeling of joy and accomplishment, I read the prayer and followed this by reading for the first part of the Rosh Chodesh Torah Reading. I was given a yad to read the Torah, since I forgot to take out the one I had purchased before my trip.

Now the time came for me to READ! While there was a Gabbi at my side, I read the Torah portion without any problem, although I’m not sure I applied all the trope correctly. (Debbi Goldich took a video while I was reading so I have the recording of my doing this.) When I completed the reading, everyone cheered and clapped, which made me feel proud and accomplished. I quickly read the prayer recited after reading the Torah and this was followed by more cheers of joy from the Women of the Wall. I was then presented with a fabulous framed Bat Mitzvah certificate. I held it with pride and joy and showed it off to everyone who was standing near me. How special this moment was to me. I was also presented with a card that had a torn page from a Siddur pasted in it and words that read “Sheila our sister. Mazel Tov on your very special Bat Mitzvah. Thank you for choosing to celebrate with us on (Aleph) Adar. Here is a torn page from one of our prayer books. A mob destroyed 39 of them on 5/6/22…” It was signed by Anat Hoffman. How special this addition is and it will soon be framed and hung. Everyone was filled with passion, love, dedication, and pride for our participation in the Rosh Chodesh prayer service.

Photo Credit: Tal Kfir Shur, https://talks.picflow.com/PITd1XzOIlrItR7W

Singing Aleinu at the Kotel was so very special for me. When the prayer service was over, the group then ended the service by singing Hatikvah. How special this was… being in Israel, being at the Kotel with so many women, reading Torah, and now singing Hatikvah.

I will always relish the experience that started with a dream by joining a Bat Mitzvah class with the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism, and being provided the opportunity to read Torah with the Women of the Wall, and become a Bat Mitzvah. How proud my mother and father would have been to see me on the day I read Torah at the Kotel. My family was back home and they were so proud of what I accomplished.

I celebrated this day in two special ways – first I met up with my Rabbi’s daughter who lives in Israel. She had arranged for the waiter to bring out a plate with cake, ice cream and a candle to celebrate my day. How special this was!  On Shabbat, my son and his family celebrated my special day with a fabulous Shabbat dinner and a beautiful celebratory chocolate layer cake. My son, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren were so proud of their bubbe! My daughter-in-law asked me, “Mom, which was more special, getting your doctorate degree or becoming a Bat Mitzvah?” Quickly I responded, “Becoming a Bat Mitzvah.” (I just had my NYU doctorate diploma framed about one month ago, after 33 years, 7 months, and 6 days. When I arrived home, I immediately hung my Bat Mitzvah certificate very close to my NYU diploma).

It was not until I read the evening Jerusalem Post that I saw there were some problems at the KOTEL Plaza while I was there. Some Torah scrolls brought to the Kotel created a commotion. I was not aware of this during the WOW service; In fact, I had no clue of anything that went on outside on the Plaza while we were actively participating in the WOW’s Rosh Chodesh Service.

I look forward to Rosh Chodesh Av, when my granddaughter, Maya, will read Torah at her Bat Mitzvah with the Women of the Wall. And, WLCJ will be able to attend virtually at Convention, since our Continuing the Celebration of Convention will include WOW’s Rosh Chodesh Av service.

I cherish my memory of my Bat Mitzvah at the Kotel on Rosh Chodesh Adar!

Shabbat Shalom,
Sheila Offman Gersh
American Mothers of Israeli Olim Google Group Organizer
sogersh@gmail.com