Please post this story. ----- Original Message ----- From: joseph mazzella To: cynthia groopman Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 10:01 AM Subject: FW: reformatted story: A Spiritual Rite of Passage for Jay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: reformatted story: A Spiritual Rite of Passage for Jay Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 12:50:28 -0400 A Spiritual Rite of Passage for Jay By: Cynthia Groopman I turn the pages of my memory album that is in my mind to July 1961, when there was a great celebration in the Groopman household. Jay, my twin brother according to his Hebrew birth date was turning thirteen, the age of majority and Bar Mitzvah in the Jewish religion. That meant that Jay would finally become a man, and responsible for all of the commandments in Judaism and responsible for his actions, wrong doings etc. After 5 years of Hebrew school, and one year of learning his Haftorah, Hebrew scripture from the Prophets, he was finally ready to sing and chant the wise words of Jeremiah. There was lots of excitement around with planning, and my mother had a blue book with a logistical plan of everything that had to be done to prepare for such a festive occasion. Usually the service is followed by a party honoring the young man for achieving his attainment of honor in the Jewish religion and the party for Jay was to be in our apartment. For two weeks, prior to the affair, we cleaned each room spotlessly, and purchased the plastic utensils and supplies, made arrangements with the caterer, moved furniture around and brought in soda and other beverages. The ceremonial cake and Hallah had to be ordered. I was happy because I was involved shopping, helping to clean and helping add a festive atmosphere to our apartment. Everything sparkled and shined. Fruit was bought and so was a watermelon and we put the fruit in a cut half of big melon. Our Grandmother Rebecca, who did ot travel on Saturday due to religious reasons came to our apartment Friday night and slept in the twin bed in my room. I just could not sleep since I was experiencing Jay's anxiety or butterflies in the stomach. I just could not wait till first light came. The men rose earlier and it was 8 A.M. when all went to the Synagogue, Jay with his book and prayer shawl and he looked like a distinguished fellow. We ladies, mom, Grandmother and I took our time and dressed and made sure that all was spotless and we went to Synagogue and sat in the back rows. The big moment arrived and Jay said the preliminary prayers before and after the Haftorah we read. His voice sang so well and chanted and I felt as though Jeremiah himself were there.Then the Rabbi and the president of the Synagogue said nice things about Jay. My heart danced in elation. The party was grand with open house with friends and relatives coming and going at different times. We had platters of cold cuts and lots of goodies and fruit and a big cake .I played the piano and supplied the music.That July day was full of grandmothers love, great uncles and aunts joy and voices of aunts and uncles and little cousins. To me that was the most wonderful day since it was a fulfillment of the laws of Jewish religion. Little did I know that 40 years later at age 52, I would have a similar ceremony. Jay is going to be 62 in August, a prestigious professional man but I still picture him as little Jay. Memories are like pictures in an album. We just take them out and cherish and savor them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Learn more. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en.
