The Start of a New Path

By Alyssa Boden

It’s Friday morning, January 25th, 2019, and the big day has finally arrived. I can almost taste the sweetness of the pop tarts, donuts, and treats, the sugary taste melting on my tongue. I am becoming a Bat Mitzvah and will now be considered an adult woman in the Jewish religion. I have been studying for this weekend for nearly all my life and I am feeling so excited that this milestone has actually arrived. All the planning, lists of to-do’s, and timelines were in fast-paced mode to execute every detail.

I woke up at the normal hour but did not go to school in order to save my voice and rest before the big weekend. Friends and family flew in to help celebrate my important religious transition with a weekend full of events and festivities. My mom had been planning this day since my birth and no detail went unrecognized. We worried about pelting rain in January and developed contingency plans if the weather became an issue. But instead, I rose to the sun shining into my room, the sun an omen of the good to come. I hear my parents talking about weekend details, and my sister was still sleeping. As I climbed up the stairs, I saw boxes pilled up, clothes laid out, everything organized by day, and my dad beginning to lift and load into the mini Uhaul truck. I couldn’t imagine all the details that go into planning this type of milestone event. I had several hours to go until all the festivities started so I took my time to get ready and took in the joy and happiness of my family’s feelings.

It’s 5 pm and we leave our house headed to the synagogue where I will lead my congregation in our traditional Friday night Shabbat service. Wearing new clothes and shoes, my nails painted, and my hair professionally curled, I felt as shiny as a new car. My palms became sweaty as I started to feel anxious and get nervous. All the eyes were going to be on me. What if I made a mistake? What if my voice went dry? What if something went wrong? Taking a step on the hard and echoey concrete of the synagogue, I saw my name on the billboard saying “Alyssa Boden’s Bat Mitzvah.” My sweaty palms dripped, my face turned red, but I started to smile, and my family and I couldn’t have been happier at this moment, as becoming a Bat Mitzvah became real. Within a few minutes, friends and family started to arrive and I became distracted with talking and catching up until I hear the booming voice over the microphone say, “Alyssa, it’s time.” I proceeded eagerly down the stairs and entered the bimah with the sun shining in through the stained glass windows. After the first few guests caught my eye, the butterflies in my stomach calmed down and my legs became a little less shaky. At this moment I knew why I had been preparing all my life, I couldn’t stop smiling and looked around at everyone's emotions supporting me, this was my day to shine. I was front and center with my friends and family right by my side.

The Friday night service came to a conclusion and the freshly baked challah and the sweet smell of chocolate chip cookies started to fill the room. My family and friends moved into the synagogue social hall to feast and celebrate bringing in the Sabbath. My stomach rumbled quietly as I started to stare at the deliciously prepared food. My Bat Mitzvah signified my coming of age, a time to celebrate, a lifetime achievement. Tomorrow I would be called for the first time to read from the Torah.

The day I would become a Bat Mitzvah and be called to the Torah for the first time has finally arrived. I had cold feet, but I came prepared and ready to chant. The Rabbi gave his sermon, otherwise known as the charge to the Bat Mitzvah and tears of joy rolled down my face when my parents spoke about my growth from childhood to womanhood and the expectations that I am now accepting. I read proudly from the Torah and after I completed my portion an outburst of song and cheer from everyone made me feel like I reached the top of the mountain. I had accomplished my goal and accepted the next steps into womanhood as a Jewish adult. The celebration could begin and the glitzy, loud, and most amazing party started. The most spectacular party was filled with high-energy dancing, bright lights, and loud music, large amounts of food resulting in the best night of my life.

With beautiful services behind me and the love and support of my family and friends, my Bat Mitzvah weekend represented a special time in my life that I will never forget. It was a roller coaster of emotions. While many view their Bat/Bar Mitzvah as the culmination of learning, to me this embodied a cornerstone and landmark for what comes in the future. I love being Jewish and the traditions and rituals of my Jewish background that my parents have given me and I will them carry forward to my children someday.