When five women were called to the Torah for the first time on June 13, each had a different reason for wanting to do so. They told JTNews why they decided to celebrate this honor.
Audrey Joseph
I always wanted to become Bat Mitzvah. My brother was Bar Mitzvah. I felt I wanted to do something. All these years I never had the opportunity or the time.
Jackie Schmidt
I’d had a fairly extensive background in Hebrew education and synagogue practice. This [event] was a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of preparation offered at The Summit for an actual Bat Mitzvah ceremony, and I went for it.
Joan Greenberg
If Cleveland can do it, we can do it. My motivation was to encourage continual learning, especially Jewish learning, for everyone at The Summit. It worked.
Irene Eskenazi
I jumped at the chance to be Bat Mitzvah because I never got to do it as a child. When Rabbi Elana Zaiman asked if there was interest, I said yes. My late sister Madeline Motola in Portland had hers. I said I’m going to do it; I was bound and determined.
Rose Liberman
During a class at The Summit, Rabbi Zaiman asked if we would like to become a Bat Mitzvah. I know some Hebrew, I thought. My daughter Mary said to me, “Oh Mom, do it, you’d be good!” At first I hesitated. Then it was easy.