Life is beautiful for the Moriah b’not mitzvah

CHANTAL ABITBOL

ONE bat mitzvah girl shared a story about her grandmother who was close to death, but miraculously survived. Another spoke about her grandmother who lived earlier on in a Russian orphanage and eventually built a better life for herself.

Among the 11 young women who recently celebrated becoming bat mitzvah together at Moriah College, Sydney, each had a personal story of hope and survival.

Their inspiring tales became the focal point of a coming of age ceremony themed “Life is beautiful”.

Dressed in lilac dresses, they took to the stage in the school’s auditorium in an orchestrated program that included oration, dance and song.

Each spoke about her journey to appreciate the simple things in life. They also acknowledged their strong, Jewish maternal heritage.

They sang in melody the words, “I am of my mother, and my mother’s mother” from the song I am of Sarah. Later, they received a blessing from their parents.

“Today as b’not mitzvah, you undertake to be more sensitive to the needs of other and to give consideration to how your behaviour influences those around you,” said Rabbi Aryeh Leib Solomon in a message to the students.

College principal and CEO Kim Fillingham also told the young women that the program’s theme was not only a statement, but also a challenge for the future.

“Make sure that you take the time to look for and recognise that beauty in yourselves, others and our world,” he said. “You can and will make life beautiful.”

The first bat mitzvah ceremony was held at Moriah in 1966 and has been held annually ever since.