Simchat Bat l'Mira Chana

Yesterday was the Zeved habat or Simchat bat of Mia - her Hebrew name is Mira Chana - to welcome her into the Jewish family. Rabbi Karen Strok, who Shannon and I have known since she was 14 (!) performed the ceremony. We were all in the same youth group, SCFTY (pronounced skiff - tee) together.

In Los Angeles, The City that Never Works (you can credit me for that saying), 75 people showed up on a Thursday afternoon to celebrate.

Mia was picture perfect and asleep for most of the ceremony.

Shannon and Joe had seven friends and family give blessings that they wrote on seven values:

Fearlessness
Love of learning
Charity
Family
Love of the game
Independence
(and one more I can't remember this morning)

Michael and I gave the blessing on independence - this is what I wrote:


Your mom and dad, they are true individuals.

Your mom is a great shining presence in a 5’3 frame who is courageous, honest and outspoken.

Your dad is a giant among men. He is heroic and generous.

In becoming these people, they were sometimes lonely and frightened, but in those times, they learned to own themselves. They also learned to take credit for their successes and for their mistakes.

Michael and I wish for you a little loneliness in life. As consequence and right, your choices then, are all your own.

You will earn your inheritance - an open mind of true wisdom - and we will cheer for you in those moments and in all the moments you discover what makes you unique.

L'shana tova, y'all!!!!