South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Temples hosting bar/ bat mitzvahs with safety measures
Within the past few months, synagogues in South Florida have returned to hosting in-person bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies in their sanctuaries for the first time since theCOVID-19 pandemic began inMarch.
The ceremonies have consisted of safety measures including mask wearing, distancing, limited attendance and plexiglass panels. They have also been available for extended families and friends to view virtually. Celebrations include those thatwere long delayed because of the virus.
Rabbi AndrewJacobs of Ramat Shalom Synagogue in Plantation said the congregation has hosted four ceremonies since late August, and have others coming up inNovember and December. He said at the first two, theywere limed to 20 people, but at the ones that took place after the HighHolidays, the limitationwas increased to 40 people in the sanctuary.
“We limited the service to an hour, while before our bar mitzvah servicewere two hours, so they’remuch shorter,” Jacobs said. We don’t have prayer books as everything is broadcast on the screen, butwe are also able toZoomin participantswhoaren’t able to come, and they can see the service and also take part in it.”
Jacobs said the reception to the ceremonies the synagogue hosted so far have been very emotional, especially for the children.
“One of the kids said all hewantedwas to be able to stand in his sanctuary and become a bar mitzvah, so for these kids to be able to do thatwas very special, even though itwas small, socially distance and a lot of their friends and families weren’t there in person.”
Jacobs calls these children pioneers.
“They are Jewish kids learning to become a bar mitzvah during a pandemic,” he said. “It’s not easy to have towear a mask and not be able to hug and celebrate likewe normally do, but they are showing us thatwe canmove forward in a very safeway and still be able to celebrate this important milestone.”
DanielAuerbach, 13, of Plantation, whocelebrated a delayed barmitzvah on Oct. 3 at Ramat Shalom, said, “It mademe feel really good [to celebrate his bar mitzvah] because I’ve been working so hard for this for so long.”
Daniel’smotherRobbi Auerbach said, “Wewere just happy to be able to have the service, allowhim to become a bar mitzvah and have our immediate family present.”
Another boywhohad his delayed bar mitzvah recently at Ramat Shalom,
SamAnchell, 13 , describe the mostmemorable moment fromhis ceremony.
“The mostmemorable momentwas probably whenmy dad gave a speech,” Samsaid. “That was the first time I’ve actually seen him get really emotional and cry. He said some really nice stuff about me.”
Sam’smother Janet Salzman said her son’s bar mitzvahwas awonderful experience.
“I felt very fortunate and blessed thatwewere able to do it, andmove forward with the bar mitzvah,” she said.
At BeitDavid HighlandLakes Shul in Miami, its spiritual leaderRabbi EliezerWolf said the synagogue probably has hosted three or four bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies since it reopened its doors, and that it has a few coming up. Wolf said the synagogue has received awarm,
positive response fromthe community regarding these services.
“The community is very grateful thatwe have very strong policies in place, andwe have a task force that is helping us navigate all that,” he said. “Anybody whohas been able to join us has been so grateful and supportive. Thosewho have not been able to join us are in our minds and in our hearts, and sometimes they’re joining us via Zoom. It’s been so special and heart-warming for everybody.”
RabbiDavid Degani of Congregation Shirat
Shalom in Boca Raton said the synagogue has had two b’nai mitzvah services recently.
“Returning to in-person b’nai mitzvah services after months of online services is a reminder of our Jewish destiny fromtime immemorial,” Degani said. “Like an evergreen, we the Jewish people have always come back strong from challenges, even threats to our ceremonial traditions. It is a testimony to our spiritual strength and our resilience as a people in our modern time as it has been all throughout the generations.”