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Well, it’s over. The Bar Mitzvah was a huge success. Mark and David blew us away with their “performance”. They led the services like pros, chanted the Torah and Haftarah with poise and confidence, and brought the house down with their speech. There are so many people that took part in making this event as memorable as it was, and I didn’t have a chance to thank them in person because I was in a euphoric cloud during the entire event. It wasn’t until today, three days later, that I have been able to regain my focus.

First and foremost, I want to thank Mark and David for making this such a joyous occasion. They made the commitment 3 years ago to have their Bar Mitzvah, and they have worked diligently at it from that moment on. They never complained about the studying or the practicing. In fact, they stepped up to the plate and accepted more responsibility as they proved themselves capable of taking it on. Yasher Koach, Mark and David… you guys ROCK!

Secondly, I would like to thank Cantor Judy Sofer and Rabbi Joshua Levine-Grater. They provided excellent guidance and exhibited patience and understanding for our unique needs.

Next, I would like to thank Sondra Dreshner, Mark and David’s Hebrew School teacher. She gave us all the necessary moral support and made sure we all felt confident and comfortable. She believed that Mark and David were capable of greatness, and encouraged them every step of the way. She is an incredible teacher, and more importantly, a wonderful friend of the Merino’s.

I also want to thank Christy’s uncle Oscar Castillo for taking all of the wonderful pictures. He was able to capture many special moments that we will cherish for our entire lives. He is truly an artist.

The party was also a huge success, largely in thanks to Christy for her meticulous planning and careful selection of all of the elements to the party. The Rococo Room was the perfect setting for an intimate crowd like ours. The food and service was fantastic, and the price was more than competitive. We highly recommend them for anyone looking for a banquet room for around 100 guests. Our DJ, Scott Blugrind, was also a big part of the success of the party. He kept things moving and was able to successfully entertain teens and adults alike.

And last, but certainly not least… I would like to thank all of our family and friends that shared this wonderful time in our lives with us. You were all part of an amazing experience and without your love and support we would not have been able to enjoy sharing the gift that is Mark Merino and David Merino. As I mentioned in my speech, these twins have blossomed into two unique young men, and they have proven themselves to be stars.

To see a full gallery of pictures from the Bar Mitzvah, click here.

The Merino house has been Bar Mitzvah Buzzing all week. Last minute preparations have been made… rehearsals are complete… Party arrangements have been finalized… Suits are pressed… hairs have been cut. We seem to be ready to go- even though last night’s dress rehearsal didn’t go exactly as planned as Mark and David forgot their speeches and notes at home, causing an uncomfortable 40 minute delay in the rehearsal.

Today, Mark and David are staying home from school, putting the final touches on their Torah and Haftarah portions, their speech, and their prayer service. They will be leading the majority of the Friday Night and Saturday morning services, consisting of nearly 3 full hours of psalms and prayers, mostly in Hebrew.

I’m writing this blog article because I need to step back and take a breath and realize what this family is going through right now. This has been a difficult year. With the passing of my grandmother last October, and my father this October; with my mother’s bout with Leukemia, and Christy’s grandmother’s growing weakness; with the back problems in February, the new job, and the surprise trip to Bolivia… all with the constant pressure of the coming Bar Mitzvah all year, it has been quite challenging. It is very easy to forget the purpose and and magnitude of what we are about to experience. Mark and David are becoming men in the eyes of their Jewish community. As symbolic as this may sound, it is a significant reality. In this past year, Mark and David have grown tremendously, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. There is a reason the Jewish tradition considers the age of thirteen to be a turning point. It is because the changes are a reality. My boys are growing up. They are taking a great step tomorrow that proves themselves not only to their friends, family and community, but more importantly, to themselves. I know that on Sunday we will be able to take a deep breath and look back at the last year and say… “We did it… we made it.” But I think it is more important on the day before to take the deep breath and say, “We’re doing it… we’re here.” and really appreciate the next day’s events as what it is, a major milestone in the lives of two of our children. A point in their lives that they will remember until the day they die. Although I’m nervous and excited, I am glad that I can step back for this fifteen minutes and appreciate what this next 48 hours will bring us.

Shamir Merino

As we approach Mark and David’s big Bar Mitzvah day, they accomplish one important milestone… the Sunday Minyan service. At PJTC the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student is honored with leading the Sunday Minyan Service. Before the service, they are taught how to put on their Tallit and Tefillin. The Tallit is a prayer shawl typically worn by Jews during morning services. The Tefillin are a pair of black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with biblical verses. The hand-tefillin is worn by Jews wrapped around the arm, hand and fingers, while the head-tefillin is placed above the forehead. They serve as a “sign” and “remembrance” that God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. According to Jewish Law, they should be worn during weekday morning prayer services:

With 2 weeks left until their big day, Mark and David are relieved that they are one step closer…

Shamir Merino