B’NAI MITZVAHS
Family Rolls Out Red Carpet for Emily’s Bat Mitzvah
2 1 By Robyn Spizman Gerson
After a ten-month postponement, Emily Tavani was finally scheduled to have the bat mitzvah of her dreams at Congregation Dor Tamid, and everyone was ready. Rabbi Jordan Ottenstein and Cantor Mike ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES
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Zuspan oversaw the service portion of the simcha. According to Emily’s mother, Tracy, “Emily started studying for her bat mitzvah in January 2020, the original date being October 17, 2020. We postponed Emily’s bat mitzvah for ten months due to the
pandemic, so it was very special for all of us when she finally showed everyone how she was so well-prepared, poised and confident on the bimah. Masks were required throughout the service, and we were not able to have a kiddush luncheon. But most importantly, we all came together in person and saw Emily lead the service flawlessly and demonstrate all her hard work.” Tracy said, “We had a
smaller group attend than we originally thought as some out-of-town guests didn’t feel comfortable traveling during COVID. The temple spaced out the seating into smaller groups at the service and Emily was able to take her mask off while she was alone on the bimah, as she was behind a clear plastic barrier. When groups of people were on the bimah, they did wear masks. There was a Zoom that the temple set up for the