What's Your Fondest Bar/Bat Mitzvah Memory? — Page 2

My Orthodox grandparents didn't think it mattered if I got bat mitzvahed. And honestly, I'm fine with that. Studying Biblical Hebrew might have improved my actual Hebrew skills, but I'm somewhat doubtful of that. Maybe when I'm older I'll have regrets, but right now I definitely don't.

I'll agree on that count. In certain communities it becomes all about who throws the biggest party. It's incredibly ostentatious and annoying.

My Bar Mitzvah wasn't like that. I studied the section of Torah I was going to read for weeks--I drove and drove myself until it was letter perfect.

I thought a lot about the whole purpose of the ceremony--"becoming a man in the eyes of God" and how I wished my Father (who passed away when I was seven) could be there to see me.

[The father I referred to in my initial post was my Step-Father, a man I despised.]

After the ceremony, when my very large family told me how well I had done, I felt warm all over.

To me, it was a lot more than just a party and presents.

Believe me.

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I didn't have a Bat-Mitzvah, actually. My twin sister and I got a trip to Europe with our grandparents instead, and since my sister is also my best friend, it was the best trip ever!

I don't know many Israeli girls who had a Bat-Mitzvah. It didn't even occur to me that I could have such a thing until I worked at an American Summer camp (Ramah) and they were all shocked I never had one.

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My bat mitzvah was fun. I didn't have to read the Torah, but I had to make a speech. I didn't know anyone there. I also went to Israel with a group of friends over the summer when I turned 12 for my bat mitzvah. I got to stay at the King David in Jerusalem and my sister and dad got fooled by someone who claimed they were in Coldplay but really weren't. Very amusing. When he asked if I wanted his autograph, I didn't hear him and I walked away. It was fun.

my cousins grandma or something had her batmitzvah when she was NINETY FOUR!!!