Dima, the Bat Mitzvah Girl

We had an exciting day on Saturday - it was Dima's Bat Mitzvah! Yes, my mom decided to have a Bat Mitzvah 53 years later, as we inscribed in the kipot. So here is Dima before the ceremony getting ready. My sister Rachel just got back from Prague and brought her an antique yad with which to read from the Torah. Dima was one of 8 adults in the B'nai Mitzvah class and it was exciting for everyone. I'm particularly proud of my mother because she couldn't read a word of Hebrew before a few months ago and she learned and she persevered, was tutored, and practiced. And there she was reading from the Torah! This was particularly thrilling for us.

Katie was very excited it was Dima's Bat Mitzvah, but truth be known, she spent most of the time playing with "my new friend Talia." Talia is 4 days older than Katie and her parents are friends with our friends (Ariel's parents - we met at their house in August). The girls had such fun playing together in a preschool classroom and then at the reception. Katie couldn't be happier having both Talia and Robin to play with.

Amazingly, Katie sat quietly on my lap for the Torah and Haftarah portions, which is the quietest she's ever been in a religious service. Good for Katie. And for a special surprise, Aunt Elizabeth was there! She extended a layover between San Francisco and Paris so she could see my mom become a Bat Mitzvah!

In case you're wondering, most Grandmas do not become a Bat Mitzvah. I believe the story goes that my mother decided she didn't want to go to Hebrew School in 4th grade so she stopped going. My uncle had a Bar Mitzvah as did all of my mom's cousins, but somehow she escaped. I imagine it is so much more difficult to learn Hebrew as an adult so it makes us especially impressed with my mother.

Mazel Tov Dima, I kvell with pride...

Talia, Katie, and Robin hanging out like teenagers