Program

Bar Mitzvah of

Ethan Michael Braverman

Torah Reading

Parashat Miketz

Haftarah

I Kings 3:15-4:1

Rabbi Raysh Weiss

Welcome

Dear Family and Friends,

Shabbat Shalom and welcome! We are honored that you have joined us on this special day as we celebrate our son, Ethan Michael, becoming a Bar Mitzvah...again!  Ethan became a Bar Mitzvah in 2020, but had a strong desire to chant his Torah and Haftarah portions in the presence of his family and friends.  So here we are, almost one year later, for Bar Mitzvah 2.0!

Ethan’s Hebrew name is Eitan Micah (Ay-tan Me-chah). Ethan was given his Hebrew name in loving memory of his maternal great-grandmother, Elinor Keller, and paternal great-grandmother, Muriel Braverman. The name Eitan is an ancient Hebrew word that means strong or strength.  The name Micah means “Who is like G-d.”  Ethan received his Hebrew name when he was 9 days old and is living out his name as a strong and confident young man. He has a strong personality, advocates well for himself, and has gained tremendous confidence in his abilities and interpersonal skills. 

As a Bar Mitzvah, Ethan accepts the privileges and responsibilities of a Jewish adult. We are so proud of Ethan’s dedication and enthusiasm in preparing for this day. We would like to express our gratitude to Phyllis Schachter, Karen Lewin, Rabbi Weiss, and all of Ethan’s Hebrew School teachers for their wisdom, guidance, and assistance in preparing Ethan for his Bar Mitzvah.

We are so proud of the young man that Ethan has become, and we know that you share in our pride and happiness.  Thank you for being with us today.

                                                         With love,
Andrew and Jen

What is a Bar Mitzvah?

 “Bar Mitzvah” is Hebrew for “son of commandment.” A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age ritual for boys. When a Jewish boy turns 13, he has all of the rights and obligations of a Jewish adult, including the commandments of the Torah.  The purpose of the commandments is to keep our lives focused on what is most important: family, community, and a relationship with G-d.

Although we commonly refer to a boy as “having” a Bar Mitzvah, the term actually refers to a status. A Jewish boy automatically becomes Bar Mitzvah when he turns 13 years old.  Ethan was born on the 27th of Kislev, 5768.  He turned 13 on the 27th of Kislev, 5781, which was on December 13, 2020.

Understanding the Shabbat Service and Symbols

Kippah (kee-pah) or yarmulke (yah-mah-kah): A head covering worn by men and some women. Women may wear a kippah, hat, or a lace head covering if they choose. Wearing a head covering is an act of respect to G-d and the sacredness of the worship space.

Tallit/Tallis: The tallit (tall-EET or TALL-is), or prayer shawl, is traditionally worn by Jewish males and by some Jewish women as well. The braided fringes at the four corners of the tallit, called tzitzit, are gathered and kissed at various times in the service to remind us of G-d’s commandments. Ethan’s Grammy, Barbara Braverman, will be presenting Ethan with his tallit. His grandmother, Sherry Keller, designed a special tallit bag for Ethan to store and carry his tallit.

Siddur and Chumash: Two different books will be used during the Shabbat service.  The first is the siddur. This is a prayer book that opens from right to left and is used throughout the service.  You can access an online Siddur by clicking here. The second book is the Chumash. This is a printed version of the Torah. You can access my Torah portion by clicking here.

Aliyah: The term “Aliyah” means rising up and symbolizes the honor of reciting the blessing over the Torah before and after each section of the Torah is read.

Torah: Ethan will be reading from a Torah scroll. Each scroll contains the Five Books of Moses. Torah scrolls are the most sacred possessions of a congregation and Jewish community. Each scroll is hand-written in Hebrew, on parchment, without vowels or musical notes.

Yad: The person who reads the Torah uses a pointer, called a yad, to help keep the place as the Torah is read and to prevent damage to the Torah. Ethan is using a special yad today as he reads from the Torah.  This yad was presented to him as a gift from his parents as he began his Bar Mitzvah preparation in December, 2019.  The yad was hand-designed and includes his Hebrew name, Eitan Micah. Our wish is that this yad will help point Ethan in the right direction of his hopes, dreams, and goals.

Parashah: Each Shabbat we read a portion of the Torah, or parashah. The parashah is read from the Torah scroll.
Ethan will read from Parashat Miketz.  This parashah is found in the Book of Genesis and contains three important themes:
1. Knowing what to do with dreams
2. The choice between revenge and caring
3. The choice between death and survival

Pharoah had two dreams that troubled him. In the first dream, seven thin cows came out of the river and ate seven fat cows.  In the second dream, there were seven healthy ears of corn on one stalk and seven thin ears of corn on another. The thin ears swallowed up the seven healthy ears.  Knowing that Joseph could interpret dreams, Pharoah called upon him.  Joseph interpreted these dreams to mean that G-d was telling Pharoah that there would be seven good years followed by seven years of famine.  Pharoah then appointed Joseph to oversee the land of Egypt during these years, empowering him to hold back some food during the seven good years in order for there to be enough food during the famine. (If you have ever seen the Broadway show, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, this is the part when Pharoah impersonates Elvis and “rocks out” his dreams to Joseph.)

Haftarah: Following the Torah reading, Ethan will chant the Haftarah, a prophetic selection from the Bible that shares a theme with the Torah portion. Ethan will begin his Haftarah chanting with the words “And Solomon awoke, and behold it was a dream,” echoing this week’s Torah portion which opens with Pharoah’s dreams.

D’var Torah: Ethan will share his thoughts highlighting the significance he finds in his Torah portion when he delivers his D’var Torah, or “word of Torah.”

Throwing Candy: After the conclusion of the Torah service, it is customary to toss candy at Ethan to joyfully acknowledge his achievement. Family and friends who are in Ethan's house will throw the candy.

Honors

All About Ethan

School: Pennwood Middle School

Grade: 8

Favorite Subject (I have two): Math and Science

Favorite Movie: The Greatest Showman

Favorite Music Genre: Hard Rock and Metal

Favorite Book: All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Favorite Dessert: Tres Leches Cake (Three Milks Cake)

Favorite Restaurant: Fogo de Chão

Favorite Place to Visit: Seattle, WA

Favorite Game: Video Game: Minecraft, Board Game: Monopoly

Business: EMB Productions (www.emb.productions)

Clubs/Activities: Taekwondo, Band (Saxophone), MathCounts

Camp: JCC Abrams Camps

Pets: Fish, Dog (Lzzy), Dog (Tater)