New Jersey Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Top Dog | Today He Becomes a Man
It's amazing how much has changed since I became a Bat Mitzvah twenty-two years ago. Back when I was the one on the Bimah, my biggest fear was how much of my Torah portion I would inadvertently skip over (for the record, it was a full paragraph). I had a few of my closest friends celebrate with me at my synagogue and it was nothing quite near "The Event" to be at. And DEFINITELY not at a venue that has the street cred of Top Dog in Cherry HIll!
Fast forward to now and this strikingly handsome young man. When he is called to Torah at Temple Emanuel, it becomes the event of the decade. The event only the best and most elite get the privilege of being invited to. You could say he was quite a celebrity in the "I am now a man in the eyes of the Torah" world. Just look at the dozens of adoring fans he has clamoring for his attention. I have to admit, I fell victim to his star power, too. Even though I was the photographer, I still found myself giddy with excitement every time he would flash me his million watt smile. Like I was deemed special enough to receive a hot second of his attention. It was quite the experience, so different from my days of Coke and Pepsi.
Maybe that's not so much a reflection of the times but of this young man and the amazing qualities he exudes. I don't say this lightly...remember, I teach 7th grade and have so for thirteen years. Therefore, I can say with total confidence and assurance, he is something special. He has a kindness and compassion for his peers that I have rarely seen in a young man his age. As I observed him through the night, I was taken aback by his affable and compassionate personality. How, even though this was HIS day to shine, HIS day to have all eyes on him, HIS day to be a superstar and be completely self-centered, he preferred to focus his attention on his friends, his loved ones, and most especially, his mother.
The relationship between mother and her baby son was one that made me yearn for the same with my baby son when he becomes a Bar Mitzvah. Even surrounded by all of his friends, even with his age that commands as if written in stone "Thou shalt not show thy mother PDA", there he was, beaming with pride as if to say, "Look at me. This is my mom. Aren't I the luckiest kid in the world?"
If my son looks at me that way for even one moment during his day, I will be the happiest mommy out there. Well...maybe second happiest. But this is not about me, it's about this amazing young man on his most special day. The day he became a Man.
