Ecclesiastes For a Bat Mitzvah

This morning I officiated at the b’not mitzvah (note: plural, feminine Hebrew) of two incredible young women. Trying to be clever, I updated Ecclesiastes’ famous “To everything there is a season” poem so that it would speak to a 13 year old. Some where along the line I realized that maybe this speaks to us all…

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I want to bless you two strong, amazing teenage women Ecclesiastes- style : 

There will be a time to celebrate the beauty of the world, and a time to question everything that is unjust

There will be times to enjoy the status quo, and times to stage a protest

There will be times to be in nature and times to hole up in your bedroom

There will be times when you cry and times when you laugh until you cry

There will be times for falling in love and times for healing a broken heart

There will be times when you feel that you have everything you need – money, love, support — And there will be times when you only notice what you lack

There will be times when you feel overwhelmed by the love of your family and friends, and there will be times when you feel lonely and alone.

There will be times when you are brilliant and times when you have to learn to do the impossible

There will be A’s and there will be F’s

There will be moments when you are curious and moments when you are furious

There will be moments when you understand the blessing of being born female, and moments when you are upset by the sexism of our world.

And in all your seasons, know that you are never truly alone. That where ever you go, there’s always someone Jewish, there is always a community that needs your participation. Know that in all your seasons, Temple Israel is your home. We are here for you. We love you. I love you. Mazal tov. We are so proud of who you are and who you are becoming!