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BATgirl – Wave your flag!

July 18, 2012 By talitarlow 2 Comments

I started the BATmom blog almost a year ago and this year has been filled with learning, traveling and celebrating.  Our celebrations culminated in very special family Shabbat, a Jerusalem Scavenger Hunt with BATgirl’s friends, and a very small and intimate celebration with our family and friends who know and have a connection with BATgirl.

At this evening BATdad and I presented to BATgirl the Bat Mitzvah Box (beautifully decorated by the BATsisters).  The Bat Mitzvah Box contains 12 gifts for her 12 years. With no further ado – here are the contents of the BATbox (in Bat Mitzvah Parent speech format)!

BATmitzvah box

BATbox with stencil, food erasors, bubbles and paints

  1. The Rubics cube –   BATgirl, we put this Rubics Cube in the Bat Mitzvah box, because you love learning new things, exploring new ideas and finding out how things work. Your teachers always tell us that you have the best general knowledge, and you are way ahead of your friends in your knowledge of Torah, Israel and even science subjects. We hope that you continue to be curious, to ask questions and to learn throughout your life, and we hope that we can always be there to answer your questions and forward you as you strive for knowledge, understanding and solutions!
  2. Place markers.  We bought this for you because you have been nagging us for them! You want them for your new siddur.  You’re absolutely right – you should have place markers to mark important tefilot, and also you should make yourself place markers to remember important days, important people, and important events.  In other words – know what and who is important in your life and look after it/them – nurture it/them. Examples of important things can be chagim or birthdays, your family, friends or teachers, your hobbies and talents even your memories.  Recognize the important things in your life and make sure that you make space for them.
  3. Food erasers – of course you are not a fussy eater – that is if you have rice, pasta or cous cous!  When it comes to the rest of the menu, it is a bit harder to convince you to eat. For that reason we put some food rubbers in the Bat Mitzvah box – we want to encourage you to be adventurous – try something new.  This can be with food, and this can be with experiences.  We have seen this year how you have become much more open to trying new things and we are very proud of your efforts – keep it up!
  4. Paints – I remember one time I came with you to a lesson with your art teacher.  You were painting something, and you really wanted pink. But not any pink, a very specific pink.  You mixed red and white to get the color, and at first you put too much white, and then you put too much red. You kept on adding and mixing and mixing and adding until you finally found the exact pink you wanted.  I was so proud of how you knew what you wanted and you didn’t compromise until you got it!  That is a very good quality and I know it will take you far in life – in fact I can’t wait to see where it will take you in life, I am already kvelling with pride at your future achievements!  BATgirl, we put some paints in the Bat Mitzvah box, and we hope that you continue to mix colors with confidence and creativity, and that you continue to strive to achieve all of your visions.

    Israel flower and bracelet

    Israel flower - May she grow and blossom Bracelet - with varying beads

  5. Israel flower -  In the Bat Mitzvah box you will see an Israel flower –  a flower with an Israeli flag.  You, BATgirl, are our Israel flower – our Sabra!  We hope that you continue to grow and blossom here in Israel!
  6. Bracelet – The reason why I chose this bracelet is because the beads are all different patterns, shapes and sizes.  You know, the difference between all the beads is what makes the bracelet beautiful – and this is the same with our family.  Each of us  – Abba, Ima, You, BATsister1, BATsister2 and even BATboy is a different person with different strengths and weaknesses, different likes and dislikes, different personalities – it is when we bring all of our differences together that we can be a team-  working together at our best.  I hope that this bracelet in your Bat Mitzvah box will remind you of how important it is that each one of us is different, and how we are most beautiful when we bring all our personal qualities together.

    Tree card

    From a large family tree

  7. Tree card – Since you started your Bat Mitzvah roots project we have talked a lot about our family tree. Last Friday we joked that in fact your name isn’t just BATgirl Tarlow – it is BATgirl Rothenstern Kahanowitz Leon Kaplinski Shinbaum Rurka Yankelowitz Tarlow.  We spoke about your grandparents and great grandparents and the contribution that they made to their communities.  Don’t worry –we didn’t insist that all those names would be printed on your new Machzor, however we put this tree in the Bat Mitzvah box, because we would like you to remember that you are part of a much greater family tree. The family tree doesn’t stop at your great grandfathers who were community leaders, partisans, doctors, soldiers and volunteers, and it doesn’t stop at your great grandmothers who were home makers, nurturers, talented and creative women. Your family tree goes all the way back to the Shvatim and the Avot.  You are a descendent of Cohanim from Shevet Levi and maybe the tribe of Yehudah – you are part of a great family and a great nation, so walk with pride and dignity!
  8. Cards – Chazal say that we are called Yehudim because we have the ability to say Toda – to acknowledge in front of Hashem and others He has done something for us that we couldn’t have done ourselves.  You will find in here a little box with 10 cards. We recommend that you think about who you want to thank, and what you want to thank them for – and write them a note to express your appreciation.
  9. Stencil – BATgirl, from your grandparents you received Machzorim, from school you received a beautiful siddur – we have nothing left to give but this stencil.  We hope that you give the siddur and machzor good use, but we also hope that you can find your own way to send your hopes, thoughts and prayers to Hashem – here are some letters – you can make the words!

    Croc key ring

    The blue croc keyring has found a home

  10. Blue Croc keyring - we think you will like this – it looks like your favorite blue croc!  We got this comfy shoe, because you have come a long way in your 12 years, and the shoe represents the path that you have come on. This year started off as quite a difficult one for you, but you pulled though with new strengths – we are very very proud of you!  BATgirl, being a Bat Mitzvah girl means you are now an adult with adult responsibilities – this is a new path for you to go on, and we want you to know that we are with you all of the way!
  11. Bubbles – Yes – these are bubbles!  Bubbles are fun!  We have expressed lots of hopes for you, and given much advice to you – at the end of the day we hope that you have fun and enjoy!  In your life as a Torah Jew you should have simcha in fulfilling the mitzvot and building a relationship with Hashem, and in your personal life you should have lots of great adventures and fun memories!
  12. Blank paper – Finally – this looks like a blank piece of paper, but actually BATgirl – it is your flag!  Last week we designed another flag for you. Many of the important people in your life colored this flag and sent us the photo’s – we’ll see them all in a few minutes.  This flag is for you – it is blank and we hope that in the years to come, as you continue to grow, as your talents and strengths continue to develop you will design your own flag. BATgirl – we look forward to watching you Wave your Flag – mazal tov!

And now, click below to watch the amazing journey of BATgirl growing up and see her friends and loved one’s Waving her Flag!

 

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If it’s not on the map – put it there!

January 31, 2012 By talitarlow 2 Comments

As part of BATgirl’s Bat Mitzvah year program, last Friday the extended BATfamily visited Machon Ayalon.  Machon Ayalon is an almost unknown site among Israeli and foreign tourists, but since our visit I have decided to make it my new mission in life to put Machaon Ayalon on the map.  This is not an easy task, as it was specifically designed to be OFF the map!  Let me explain…

Sign at the entrance to Machon Ayalon

Sign at the entrance to Machon Ayalon

In the 1930-40’s in Palestine under the British mandate, Jews could be arrested and even executed for the crime of owning a weapon or ammunition.   Let me remind you that from even before the 1929 Hebron Massacre where 67 Jews were murdered by their Arab neighbors, over the next 20 years and towards the British retreat from Palestine in May 1948, the Arabs of Palestine and neighboring countries were well armed and ready to attack the Jewish community.  Despite an international arms embargo, it was absolutely necessary for the Jewish community to attain weapons to defend themselves, and to ensure that they would have enough resources to win the pending war for a national homeland.

Machon Ayalon was a clandestine ammunition factory, built daringly close to a British army camp – literally “under the nose” of the British.  It was hastily built in 3 weeks to be 8 meters (25 feet) under the ground and it operated daily for 3 years. Above the ground, Machaon Ayalon appeared to be no more than a kibbutz. Of the 90 people who lived on the Kibbutz, 45 of them, (family and spouses of the factory workers who had not been enlisted for this highly dangerous mission) had no idea what was going on beneath their feet.

A model in the under ground bullet factory

A model in the under ground bullet factory

During our visit to Machon Ayalot, BATgirl and the extended BATfamily learnt the incredible story of Machon Ayalon.  We learnt about the dangers and obstacles that the factory workers had to overcome to keep their invaluable mission going: How could they suppress the noise of the machinery?  How could the worker get fresh air?  How could the workers get sunlight so no one would suspect that they were not really working in the orchards?  How could they keep the British soldiers at bay?  How could they deliver their bullets to strategic locations all over Israel?

The laundry workshop hid the entrance to the Bullet Factory at Machon Ayalon

The laundry workshop hid the entrance to the Bullet Factory at Machon Ayalon

During the tour we learnt about….well we can call it “Chutzpah” or “a Yiddishe Kop” or even “brazen Israeli-ness” which calls to defy dangers and obstacles, and to come up with solution after creative solution.  We were inspired by the determination never to allow ourselves to be defeated by the odds!

After our tour, we ate some cake that BATgirl and her sisters made, and Dod A, who is a reserve soldier in the Israeli army shared with BATgirl and the rest of us about the importance of serving the country that we live in.

David Ben Gurion said it as it is:

Ben Gurion on Machon Ayalon

Ben Gurion on Machon Ayalon (Ta'as = Machon Ayalom)

What an important stop in our BATmitzvah year program!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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BATfamily closing circles at Kotel Tunnels

January 30, 2012 By talitarlow Leave a Comment

After a few false starts – this week we finally commenced Batgirl’s year long Bat Mitzvah program. The truth is, I am actually happy that bad weather caused the postponement of our first scheduled outing, because this was the very best place to launch a year of Bat Mitzvah exploration.

Time: 17:50pm – it’s dark and very C-O-L-D

Place: Old City, Jerusalem

Participants: BATgirl, and the BATfamily, grandparents and most of her aunts, uncles and cousins

Destination: Kotel Tunnels

 

Kotel Tunnels

Kotel Tunnels

As we entered the Kotel Tunnels, our guide introduced himself and explained to us the history of the Kotel Tunnels. In short, Herod, the Great builder and lunatic King, decided to renovate the Second Temple as one of his magnificent and ambitious building projects. Being that the Temple stood on a relatively small Jerusalem mountain peak (identified as Har HaMoriah where Avraham bound Isaac and learnt the nature of Jewish faith) and space was limited, he built a massive platform and expanded the Temple Mount area to a huge plaza  measuring about 2,575 by 985 feet, with eight gates. These efforts more than doubled the size of the Temple building.

 

Model of the Second Temple

Model of the magnificent Second Temple built on the man made Temple Mount

The Western Wall that we know today, is not a remaining wall from the Temple itself, it is the Western supporting wall of the plaza platform, and it is  the closest we can get to the Holy of Holies – the sacred space where only the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) would go once a year, on Yom Kippur.

Four years after Herod’s Temple was finally completed, it was destroyed by the Romans, and Jewish History – in short – from takes a choppy and bloody road downwards!   Fast forward 1500 years from the destruction of the Temple: the Temple Mount now houses a mosque and a Muslim shrine, and the Mamluk (Turk) rulers of Israel have built a Muslim neighborhood literally on and around 90% of the western supporting wall of the Temple Mount. A symbolic 10% was left unbuilt on, part of this was used as an area to dump garbage – the Western Wall.

Western wall last in the 19th century

Western wall last in the 19th century

The Western Wall tunnels are actually a result of a very delicate digging operation which started after 1967. The digging project involved digging beneath the residential neighborhoods which were built against the Western Wall on top of ancient structures from the Second Temple period. The diggings required close supervision by experts in the fields of structural engineering, archeology and Jewish law. After almost twenty years, and despite large difficulties, the Western Wall Tunnels were revealed, literally becoming a time tunnel, transporting anyone in them to Jerusalem in the first century C.E – the greatest days in the history of the city.

Our tour in the labyrinths along the length of the Western Wall was half in English, half in Hebrew – to suit the different needs of three generations of participants. Batgirl and her siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins participated in a bit of role play, a bit of running and climbing, a bit of squeezing into tight spots, and a lot of discovering incredible and surprising sights. In short, we got to build a vivid picture in our minds of Ancient Jerusalem.

After our tour, we reconvened at Bibi’s (a great steak bar in Talpiot), Dod Yishai was invited to share some thoughts with BATgirl.  He reminded us that our Kotel Tunnels tour took place just a few days after 10th of Tevet, the date that marks the destruction of the Jewish Temple.  This tour in face signified the closing of a circle. Despite the Jewish tragedy that caused destruction and exile for the Jewish people, we were three generations of Tarlow’s and Kaplinski’s, coming from at least 3 different continents, all of us Israeli’s walking through the Holiest of spaces in modern and rebuilt Jerusalem. In the tunnels by the Western wall of the Temple Mount, we celebrated the closed the circle of the wandering Jew, we had reached the end of the long journey.  We are finally home!  We celebrated Batgirl’s commitment to the Jewish people, our land and our Torah.  It was very meaningful and the family celebration was complete.

 

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This week I was at a beautiful baby girl ceremony.

December 6, 2011 By talitarlow Leave a Comment

My friends Shani and Ilan wanted to celebrate the birth of their second daughter, their fourth child. This ceremony was particularly pertinent because it took place on the baby’s 31 day of life, 31 days after Ilan’s father had passed away. Yes, the beautiful blessing was born the same hour that Ilan’s father left this world.

My husband and I came early, as I had a work meeting and was not able to stay for long. When we arrived we were stunned by the beautiful sight of lime covered tables with the cutest blow up animals as centerpieces. This was a cheerful sight, but food was not on display yet, and there was no music.  It was clear to us the food and festive spirit was not going to be the focus of the occasion.

Simchat Bat Centerpieces

Simchat Bat Blow up animal Centerpieces

This hunch was confirmed when, as the hall filled up with visitors, Ilan invited the guests to come to the center of the room and form a circle.  We did so, and Ilan explained that he had asked his Rabbi whether he could have a celebration party for his baby daughter in the traditional year of mourning. The Rabbi suggested that he could, but it should be immediately after the initial 30 days of mourning.

Ilan then explained that the baby will be brought through the circle of visitors to the lap of her grandmother, Ilan’s mother, by Ilan and Shani. The baby was passed by Shani’s mother on a pink pillow to Shani, and the women visitors were encouraged to put jewelry on the pillow as a symbol of the righteous women in the desert who volunteered their jewelry to build the holy sanctuary.  (Don’t worry, the jewelry was returned!) Holding candles Shani and Ilan carried their baby girl to her paternal grandmother, who placed the pillow with the content baby on her lap. Shani and Ilan sprinkled salt around the baby to represent the preciousness and eternity.

Pink pillow for the baby girl

Pink pillow for the baby girl

Unfortunately at that point I had to run, I heard that Ilan spoke beautifully, that there was the singing of lovely Jewish melodies and the food was great.  Although I was there for only a short time, the message that I got from Shani and Ilan’s Simchat Bat, was that the food and lighthearted spirits was secondary to the meaning and content of the occasion.

Mazal Tov Shani and Ilan on the birth of your precious baby girl, may you have much nachas from her, and may she and you be blessed with all things good and happy!

Blessings to you Shani and Ilan!

 

Were you at an especially meaningful Simchat Bat ceremony? I’d love to hear about it!

Filed Under: Baby Girl Ceremonies, Batmom Blog, Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

BATmom and “home leadership”

October 31, 2011 By talitarlow Leave a Comment

I read two thought provoking blog posts this morning.  In a seemingly random way, they both deal with the same idea from totally different perspectives.  This idea is leadership.

Geoffrey Webbis a blogger and business consultant. I am not sure if he would like that introduction, so feel free to read about him here.   In his latest post, he reveals three characteristics of a leader of people

1. Stand Up. Take responsibility for your values and your people—not only will you sleep better at night, you’ll attract loyal followers as well.

2. Speak Up. You always have an opinion—whether you realize it or not. Know what yours is—and be ready to share it.

3. Step Up. Words and positioning are a good start, but in the end, action is what communicates your real commitment, and thus, your true courage.

Courage generates leadership

Courage generates leadership from Geoffry Webbis's website

I love it!  A clear, simple and concise guide to leadership – believe in something, represent your values in words and act on your beliefs.  People will respect you, trust you and choose to follow you.

Andi Leubitz gives parenting advice through her blog. In her latest post, she acknowledges that she believes that her own trait of being non-confrontational  is not helpful.  She therefore she encourages her children to fight! Yes, you read this correctly!  But there is a list of wonderful ground rules to the fighting.  These rules all boil down to teaching her children the important life skills of “self expression” on the one hand and “respecting the other” on the other hand. I highly recommend this post for all parents.

 

Kid's fighting

Kid's fighting should be encouraged

As BATmom, the surprising superhero, the focus of my personal blog isn’t on leadership and it also isn’t primarily on parenting.    My BATmom blog is the story of a mother who is trying to grow emotionally and spiritually. At the same time, it is the story of a mother who is trying to use this personal growth to impact her home and her family. Perhaps we can call my own unique brand “Home Leadership”. This is particularly important to me in the transition year of my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and I am constantly assessing what messages I must give her as she joins the Jewish community of adults.

So the pearls of wisdom that I have taken for myself from the above wise people is that as BATmom I must define my own values and beliefs, I must speak up and express them, and I must act on them with fearless pride.  This will serve as a shining light to my children, who should also be encouraged to develop their own values and beliefs, they should be encouraged to express and defend their values and beliefs.  At the same time they should be taught to respect the values and beliefs of others.

 

Dear BATgirl RESPECT yourself and others!

Dear BATgirl RESPECT yourself and others!

 

Quotables:  Thanks to my old friend Lisa Max, who posted this quote on facebook.”If there is a light that lights the path for others, let it be the light that shines from you.”

I like the idea of “home leadership” for moms.  What other tools of trade should “home leaders” use?

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A brief and tentative itinerary

October 24, 2011 By talitarlow Leave a Comment

It’s been a while since I, BATmom, the Surprising Superhero have had a moment to visit my blog to post my rantings.  Instead, I have gone through the past month of Chagim, post chagim and more chagim with the above rantings circulating my head, desperately pleading to get out!  Well, here I am, finally putting some of my thoughts down – the rest will have to stay put until the time is right!

Bat Mitzvah mom sighs...

Bat Mitzvah mom sighs...

Most importantly, its time to update you all about BATgirl’s Bat Mitzvah plans.  In a previous posting I revealed that this year, the BATfamily will be partaking in a multifaceted journey in which we will explore some of the Bat Mitzvah messages to which a Bat Mitzvah girl should be exposed.  I have spent some time thinking about the messages that I would like to put forward to BATgirl and I have finally made a plan which will allow us to uncover those messages from fun, experiential and meaningful angles.  We live in Israel, so in 6 day trips, our family will be visiting places and people (within reasonable traveling distance) that will have a message to share.  Below is a very brief and tentative itinerary.  The order of the experiences below is purely based on logistics and convenience.

 

Bat Mitzvah itinerary

Bat Mitzvah day trip itinerary

Outing number 1 – the purpose of this outing is to think about the difference that a single individual can make with his/her actions, it is a place where we will explore the importance of having pride and commitment to our nation and our Jewish identity.  This place is Har Herzl.

Outing number 2 – the purpose of this outing will be to hear the ancient story of Jerusalem, the 3000 year old capital of the Jewish people, and so we will be visiting the Kotel Tunnels.

Outing number 3 – this outing will take place just after Chanukah, a festival when we dwell on heroism, perseverance and striving through the dark to reach the light.  We will have a chance to think about all of that, during our visit to Machon Ayalon.

 

Sort of unrelated pic, but I thought I would post it anyway :)

Outing number 4- the purpose of this outing is to explore our family roots- all the way to the ancient source – the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs.  Therefore we will be visiting Ma’arat HaMachpela.

Outing number 5 – “Only with the heart can one see right.” Antoine de Saint Exupéry, The Little Prince.  Keeping that in mind, we will be visiting the Holon’s Children Blind museum.  We will also be thinking about how each of us has our own difficulties, and how we should relate to our personal challenges.

Outing number 6 – is to a yet – undisclosed location.  But we can reveal to you that the tour guide will be BATgirl’s Saba – who also likes to call himself Sponge-Da.  Sponge-Da will be taking BATgirl and her classmates to one of the places that he is involved with supporting, and at this location the girls will have an opportunity to partake in a Chesed project. The purpose of this outing will be to think about, and act on, the imperative of looking after the people around us who need our help.

 

Learning about helping people our

Learning about helping people out

So there you have 6 day trips that the BATFamily will be making over the next few months.  These outings represent 6 Bat Mitzvah messages, which will be reinforced in the Bat Mitzvah ceremony.  I promise that we’ll talk about the ceremony another time, although I will say now that we will dwell on what it means to be a Jewish woman, the chain of Jewish generations and our family.

There are many, many important messages out there that I couldn’t fit into the itinerary – wherever you are in the world, I would love to hear where you would take your daughter to learn a Bat Mitzvah message – please feel free to tell me in the comment box below.

 

 

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s

October 6, 2011 By talitarlow 5 Comments

Too often Bar and Bat Mitzvah parents get their proverbial knickers in a knot over details like the hall, the catering, the DJ, the invitations, the theme and the fashion.  There is certainly a time and place for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah party – but is this really what a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is all about? Do we want to give our children the message that being Bnei Mitzvah is about throwing an dazzling affair that will  impress and outdo our neighbours?

 

Bar/Bat Mitzvah party mom with lots to do...

Bar/Bat Mitzvah party mom with lots to do...

We can all take inspiration from one of the most prominent Jews in the USA today – Chicago Mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Immanuel. The following paragraphs are from Suntimes.com and is based on his recent speech to the Jewish Federation.

“The night before their Bar Mitzvahs, my brother, Ari, and I took our two sons to the [Wailing] Wall to recite the prayer, ‘Who are you, if you are not for yourself? What are you if you are only for yourself? And if not now, when?’ The same prayer my father said to me on my Bar Mitzvah,” Emanuel said.

“And that really is the spirit, the culture, the philosophical outlook of the [Jewish Federation]. Yes, you have to make sure that no Jew suffers either hunger, homelessness or any of the economic hardships of life. But, our work does not stop at the borders of our own community.”

The mayor’s daughter, Ilana, got a chance to walk that walk after celebrating her Bat Mitzvah recently. Emanuel said he and his wife, Amy, “don’t allow parties for Bat Mitzvah.” Instead, Ilana Emanuel worked with KaBoom — a national non-profit — to plan and build a playground for homeless children at A Safe Haven’s transitional living facility at 2750 W. Roosevelt.

“We’ve taught our kids that the most important thing they can do for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah is to give something back. And in an afternoon, an entire playground went up … 250 people. She organized 130 of ’em. That was her Bat Mitzvah party,” the mayor said. “It’s a time for celebration. But [also] a time to learn that first lesson in life: You have something special. Do something for those who are in a time of need. That is what it means to be Jewish.”

 

We all know the that if there are two Jews, there will be three opinions. Do you agree with Emanuel’s take on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah message? Do you think there is an even more important message to convey to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah child?

Bar/Bat Mitzvah message

Bar/Bat Mitzvah message

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Fashion week, judgement and Bat Mitzvah speeches

September 20, 2011 By talitarlow Leave a Comment


 

If this Bat Mitzvah speech makes you see red – and I am not referring to the color of “Hannah”‘s hair – you can take a few breaths and calm down – this is not a real Bat Mitzvah speech practice – it is a parody!  It is actually a comic piece by writer Bob Morris, a style writer and author, frequent contributor to The New York Times. Hannah is played by his tennis partner’s daughter. Miuccia is played by his dog, Zoloft.

Bob says “my intent was more about satirizing fashion culture than religion,” but having said that, as parents of Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids, the speech brings up a number of issues that are worth considering and even discussing with our kids.

Firstly – on what basis do we, and should we judge people – based on their character or based on their cloth?  The Ethics of Our Fathers states – do not look at the vessel; rather, look at what is inside it.  This is specifically (but not exclusively) referring also to the character make up of people, as opposed to their looks.

Secondly – what sort of role models do we want to be?  The type of father who “kindly” takes time off from his new Brazilian wife to attend the Bat Mitzvah?  The type of grandmother who teaches her granddaughter from a young age the importance of labels?  There is a lovely story in the Talmud that ends with a blessing that one’s offspring should be exactly like them.  We must strive to be the kind of person that we want our children to emulate and grow into.

Thirdly – what is the role of beauty in Judaism?  The Torah dedicates many, many chapters and verses to describing the stunning Sanctuary that Bezalel was commissioned to build for the Jews in the desert, and King Solomon pulled out all the stops to make sure that his Temple was an exquisite talking point, with magnificent resources from all over the world.

In short, physical beauty is recommended in Judaism, but it cannot represent an empty shell – beauty must be a window to reflect the spiritual and elevated content that lies within.

So, instead of clicking the “dislike” button on YouTube, I would like to thank Bob and the lovely “Hannah” for giving us some Bat Mitzvah thoughts to ponder and their Bat Mitzvah speech message – there is clearly more to fashion, judgement and beauty that meets the eye!

 

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Lyrics to Dip Your Apple- The Ein Prat Fountainheads

September 8, 2011 By talitarlow 15 Comments

 

New school year, new Jewish year, new beginnings, new hopes, new starts, new chances!  How wonderful that we have the chance to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.  To my husband, children, family and friends-  may your new beginnings open the doors to the richest blessings!

Enjoy the Fountain Heads, lyrics below:

From Batmom, the surprising Superhero!

 

 


 

 

 

Tekia, shevarim, terua x2  (sounds of the shofar)

A new year rising

A new beginning

Lift your heard up, turn yourself ‘round, the world is spinning

Feel the magic of a new day

Open your heart to a fresh start, send your fears away

You’ve made mistakes- you feel it

You’ve got what it takes – believe it

Any wrong can be made right

Just forgive you need not fight

Shana tova u Metuka – its Rosh Hashana (Good and sweet year)

Shana tova, u’metuka

Dip your apple in the honey, on Rosh Hashana

It’s Rosh Hashana

 

So many new hopes

Waiting to find you

Open your eyes

The dreams you prize are all around you

The smiles are hiding

No use in guessing

Make up your mind, go out and find

That simple blessing

This is your time – you feel it

How sweet it is – believe it

Any wrong can be made right

Just forgive you need not fight

Shana Tova u Metuka – its Rosh Hashana

 

Aneinu – shana tova

 

Shana tova, u’metuka

Dip your apple in the honey on Rosh Hashana

Shana tova, u’metuka

Hear the sounds of jubilation – its Rosh hashana

 

Yehi Ratzon shenihiyeh – rosh- lo zanav (May it be Your Will that we will be like the head and not the tail)

Filling life for those around us with joy and love

Avinu malkeinu chaneinu veanaeinu (Our Father, Our King, Have mercy on us and answer us)

Hear our prayer Oh Lord

Inscribe us in the book of life

 

Chaneinu vaeinenu, shana tova

 

Shana tova, u’metuka

Dip your apple in the honey – on Rosh Hashana

Hear the sounds of jubilation – its Rosh hashana

 

Give us life Lord

And sustain us

Oh deliver us

To salvation

 

It is New Year

On Rosh Hashana

Make your loved ones smile

It’s Rosh Hashana

Open your hearts to one another its Rosh hashana

It’s Rosh Hashana

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Baggage!

August 11, 2011 By talitarlow 4 Comments

So here I am, running two busy businesses and being a full time mom in the crazy month of August.  On top of that, I have two trips coming up that are tipping my scales of sanity into the murky area where us moms would rather not go…the Valleys of Out Of Control, and the Lakes of Get Me Outta Here!

You may say: “Two trips?! Batmom, you haven’t been away for two years – stop complaining, be grateful!”  But although I know that I should appreciate all that comes my way, there is one issue regarding both trips that is causing a lot of anxiety – and that issue is Baggage!

Baggage from thegoodinthebad.files.wordpress.com

The first trip is in four days.  The Batfamily (that’s us) is going to the North of Israel for a Zimmer and Camping holiday.  There’ll be lots of opportunity’s for Batgirl to find meaning to contribute to her Bat Mitzvah Mission (see Rainbow Path post), and of course it will be a great break and family bonding time.  However we’re now a 6 people family in a 7 seater car, and Batbaby comes with a lot of accessories – from travel cot to bib, from stroller to formula – and we haven’t the foggiest idea how we’re going to get us AND our “stuff” in the car.

Batdad in particular has been worrying about this issue.  He is the Great Packer in our family, and he will have responsibility for loading, offloading and reloading the baggage numerous times a day. And if Batdad is worried then I worry, and if we both worry – well, let’s just say that it’s a recipe for disaster!

Me and Batdad "worrying"

Me and Batdad "worrying"

But before you, dear readers, start your own escalating worry sessions, I want to share the good news.  Our good friend Shady Real Estate Lawyer in Israel found us The Chimigag Solution – a fantastic bag that fits on the roof of your car, and holds all the baggage in place.  Everything is compartmentalized and safe, and the baggage can be offloaded easily and neatly whenever you want.  Batdad and I agree that this is one product that we can’t live without, and so today I am going on a mission to find us our very own Chimigag.

But solving the baggage problem of the second trip isn’t so easy.  This trip will be with my father and sisters.  We will be going to Lithuania and Belarus to visit and reconstruct the early life and war experiences of my late grandparents, Itzel and Sima Kaplinski, who were holocaust survivors and Bielski Partisans.  The baggage I will be taking on this trip, is that of a Third Generation Survivor.  This baggage has been tightly stuffed into  remote places in my mind and heart for the past 20 years, but it affects all that I do and all that I am.

Batdad is worried about this baggage too – he is afraid of how it will spill out and affect our kids. And he also doesn’t want to be the one to reload it to where it is supposed to stay.  I get his point.  But I am afraid that there is no Chimigag to keep this baggage all compartmentalized and safe, and there will be times that it will inconveniently and unexpectedly all spill out.

It’s funny, the Yiddish word for “stuff that we carry around like baggage” is “peklach”.  The wikipedia entry on  Peklach defines “peklach” as the bag of candies are thrown (in good spirit) at the Chatan (groom) in the synagogue on the Shabbat before his wedding.  I laugh at the image of me throwing my Third Generation Survivor peklach at someone, like candy in a bag. Would I throw it gently?  Or would I aim to maim?  At whom would I throw?  And what if I decided that I want to take it back?  It is after all my own, and part of what makes me me!

My excess baggage from 1.bp.blogspot.com

My excess baggage from 1.bp.blogspot.com

So this month, Batmom, the Surprising Superhero (that’s me), will be  trying to negotiate her way through the minefields of work and home, summer vacation and a journey into the past.  And one way or the other, the whole of the Batfamily, will be coming with me.  Wish us luck!

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