A Very Special Shavuoth

Years ago, in the 1970’s, classes for adults were held one morning a week at our temple. They were known as M.I.D., Multi Interest Day. And so, after sending our children off to school or preschool the adults came to school here.

One class many attended was Hebrew reading, some for the first time, others refreshing or relearning, as well as a Torah study. This first class was taught by Rabbin Shimon Paskow, our Rabbi.

The 2nd class (after a break and a nosh) was History, Culture, Holidays - and much diversion about our families, backgrounds, and other things that came up in discussion. This teacher was Julius Lipnick (obm), a teacher in religious school, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor, a roller of the Torah for the coming parsha, and so much more, as he was here most every day. And now was teaching this adult class.

After several years of attending these classes, a classmate suggested the class should have a culmination, a celebration of these learning years. As many agreed, suggestions were made. Then Rabbi made one, why not a joint B’nai Mitzvah. It turned out to be a very agreeable idea. And now, when? A date was needed. After discussion again Rabbi said - this class had been studying Hebrew, Torah, History, and Culture for years. Why not the day of the receiving of the Law – our Torah, celebrated on Shavuoth.

Many in this class had been bringing our children to religious school for years – 3 days a week, 2 weekdays of Hebrew, 1 day of Judaica on Sunday and often multiple trips in a day, as some classes were held in the evening 6-8 PM to accommodate the classes needed. And here we are, going to classes as well.

As it turned out the number of classmates wanting this numbered 7, and all-were women. As so, serious studying ensued in preparation for this event. There were different degrees of formal religious school among us in our past- some had more - some very little. But, none of us had a ‘Bat’ Mitzvah. For some it simply didn’t exist – yet –for others there were very personal reasons.

Now - no invitations were sent out. This would be for our families and our congregation family. No one had a new dress. What we did have was our own personal Avnate, made by one of our Bat Mitzvah sisters, Barbara Fefferman (obm), who was Temple Etz Chaim’s 2nd religious school principal for many years.

And so, on Shavuoth morning, 7 women ranging in age from 17 to just past 40, each with her own Torah portion, said the blessings and read from the Torah scroll. We shared blessings and the Haftorah.

The rest of the service participants, led by Rabbi Paskow, were our 18 (at the time) children with the youngest being held up to put the crowns on the Torah. After the rabbi’s blessing over us, there were many tears of pure relief but also much joy.

Our celebration was a lovely kiddish prepared by sisterhood, followed by singing and and dancing with our families - our rabbi, and our congregation to the merry magical music of our resident Temple accordion player, Harvey Dunaire (obm).

Our B’not Mitzvah class of 7 were: Barbara Ann Fefferman, Sybil Goldstein, Myrna Stelman, Joyce-Ruth Bunkin, Barbara Freeman, Randy Gilson, Lori Roach. Sadly we lost our sister Barbara Fefferman (obm). Lori Roach our youngest moved away-raised her family in another area.

From this class, of the 6 women, 20 of our children and 5 grandchildren attended Temple Etz Chaim’s religious school, were Bar/Bat Mitzvah, most confirmed, most attended our own Hebrew High School, with a couple going on to LA Hebrew High at the UJ, now AJU. 5 of our B’not Mitzvah sisters are still in and around TO, and get together as often as we can.

This Shavuoth is the 45th anniversary of our B’not Mitzvah, And Temple Etz Chaim’s First ‘Adult’ B’nai Mitzvah. In commemoration of these and in honor of our teachers Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Julius Lipnick obm, a fruit tree is planted in our community garden – Tikun Olam, as well a donation is made to the Lipnick religious school fund, whose creation was to insure that a tutor is available for every Bar/Bat Mitzvah student. And a donation is made to help sustain our community garden.

Yes, a very special Shavuoth, June 11, 1978-May 26, 2023