a gu ide to s imcha hs
Special Days
Reflecting on wonderful moments in a family's life.
Marilyn Dresser I Special to the Jewish News
The Dressers: Back
row, Richard and
Samantha. Front row,
Marilyn, Jacob and
Mischa.
C62
celebrate! I
March
2010
T
hree children, three bat/bar mitzvahs! There
were 10 years from first to last.
For the first, there were grandparents. It made
some arrangements more difficult, but it was so much the
sweeter. My mother and I talked every day about every detail
and she was tough. It had to be perfect and the grandchild was.
Samantha was a lovely, blooming 13 with braces on her
teeth and desires for long stem red roses and a white limousine
delivering her to the catered party (that didn't happen). She
studied and was more than capable, a rabbi's dream. And there
was a dear rabbi and a close relationship.
I had a new dress and Richard may have bought a new
suit. It was a Havdalah service and the temple was bathed in
candlelight and there were spice boxes to pass. I remember the
sounds and the smells and Samantha glowing and laughing. I
had the best time.
The next day, we served brunch in our historic home to the
out-of-towners.
Six years later and no rabbi, no cantor, but it was Jacob's
time. We worked hard on his portions and his dear uncle
worked with him too. A beautiful voice and a beautiful smile
made the learning process go well.
He stood at the door of the temple greeting guests before
the service, without it ever having been discusssed, nor would I
have asked for such poise.
Giving my speech to him on the bimah that night, I could
only think of how wonderful and warm he was and how much
we had been blessed.
continued on page C64