19 Nov Mazal Tov Bnot Mitzvah Girls of 2019
As women there are many connections we establish over a lifetime. The one connection that is with us always is the connection we have with ourselves. More and more as we get older we learn to appreciate just how important that connection is, because, no matter what other connections we create over our lifetime, we need to be comfortable with who we are and what we stand for. As an extension of this main connection we also develop really important relationships with family, with our Jewish Community and, on a more global level, the wider world.
On a family level it is important to recognise the generations that came before us, those who gave us our family name and formed our personal history. On a community level, as young Jewish women, it is really special to be able to take our place alongside other women who make up our Melbourne Jewish community and the wider Australian Jewish community. On a world level we recognise our connection to Israel particularly and the countries that our ancestors came from.
As we enter ‘adulthood’ and reflect on our past, we are proud of our Jewish history and where we have come from. As we are the next generation we know it’s up to us to continue our story.
Watch the amazing video!
Video by https://www.zalmang.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ZalmanGMedia
Throughout this year’s Bat Mitzvah program, we have revelled in watching our Year 6 girls grow. Each of our 23 Bat Mitzvah girls is a unique individual, each with her own personality, characteristics, weaknesses and strengths. It is through getting to know one another, working together, collaborating and combining their talents that they were able to bring us such a beautiful celebration evening last week. We have seen each of these girls… young women… wholeheartedly give of herself throughout this process. It’s been a true voyage of personal discovery – of learning more about who they are, where they come from, our shared traditions and rituals and the traits that characterise each of them as individuals.
A special thank you to Rivka Measey who was the girls’ Bat mitzvah teacher and who has been fortunate to have known these beautiful girls since they started their Primary school journey here at Yavneh.
A message from Rivka
My dearest bat-mitzvah girls, I want you each to know how proud I am of you – proud of your efforts, your commitment, your open-mindedness, your teamwork, your energy and enthusiasm – all of which you’ve drawn upon and invested graciously to approach this aspect of your learning. Your highly motivated, unyielding quest for knowledge and connection has been nothing short of inspirational and is to be acknowledged publicly and congratulated.
When each of you comes to the party with your own unique flavour and skillset, when you give of yourself and support others in the team, your own gifts expand, bringing even greater depth and meaning to this shared experience. And, tonight, you have shown us all exactly that!
Moving forward… make every day count!!! Appreciate every moment and take from each moment everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience that moment again. Talk to people you’ve never talked to before, and, actually listen. Let yourself be open, embrace new experiences and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Dream big, follow your heart, and never give up! Be kind, be generous, be strong, be gracious and …
always be a proud Jewess – knowing where our nation has come from and where we are heading. Learn Torah and even more so -practise its wise ways. Ha -Ma’aseh hu ha-ikar – action is the main thing. Act wisely and kindly to each other and everyone you encounter – making this world a nicer, brighter and kinder world.
Kol ha’kavod
