Temple Sholom of Ontario

The children of Israel are calling the world: Stand by me. Stand with us. Stand with Israel. Bring our kidnapped babies and kids back home! People who volunteered and took part in this important project: Music producer: Roi Cohen Cinematography: Adam Nahmod and Matan Shavit Video editing: Yeela Taragano Producer Assistant: Avital Fighel Recorded by Kobi Farhi and Guy Sages at Mitzlol Recording Studios Mixed by Ofer Froind Creator and Producer: Ifat Orgad Special thanks to: Dana Lugasy Itamar Orgad Itay Taragano Hadas Galsky Gali Braun Gil Friedman Guy Horowitz Shani Orgad Tomer Atal Amir Tausinger Tel Aviv University And of course to all kids who participated For more details please contact: Ifat Orgad  Dana Lugassy

This episode continues the discussion on the bat mitzvah experience, as well as examining how egalitarianism is viewed culturally and halachically.

ah-vee-noo mahl-kay-noo x3 chah-nay-noo vah-ahh-nay-noo, kee ayn bah-noo mah-ahh-seem ahh-say eeh-mah-noo tzih-dah-kah vah-cheh-sed (x2) vih-hoe-shee-ay-noo Hebrew Transliteration provided, in case you don't know the words and would like to sing along. Gratitude and all recognition to Bibi for such a heartfelt and beautiful rendition of this classic hymn, and to his remarkable family. Bibi's words In English are not a translation of the hymn, though they may capture the spirit or the feeling of the Day of Atonement perfectly. If they are original, they are classic. I’m sorry for all I did wrong (x2) I’ll try to be better forever and ever I’m sorry for all I did wrong I’ll try, I’ll try to be The best that I can be I’ll try, I’ll try to do what is right And be the best I can be The Hebrew part sung here may be translated as: Our Father, our King, be gracious to us and answer us, for we have done nothing of real merit with our time. Deal charitably and kindly with us and deliver us. My wish is that this hymn be known and sung in diverse places, bringing solace and healing to many. Finally, here's an excerpt from an interview with (as she may forever be known) Bibi's Mom, sharing something of their lives in Australia: "Your son is Black, and some of the comments I saw mentioned that. There were also rumors that the video was of a son of Amar’e Stoudemire. What role do you think race played in the video’s reception?" If I had seen him and not known him, I would wonder about the color issue, too. There was one comment that I saw, where someone said, “He doesn’t look Jewish but he sounds it. It just shows you that you don’t have to look Jewish to be Jewish.” Somebody else commented to say, don’t be so stereotypical. Bibi is adopted — we adopted each other when he was a baby. He has been raised Jewish, and it’s all he knows. Halachically [according to Jewish law] he is a Jew. I’ve come to realize he has a Jewish neshama [soul] even though entering the world he was not born into a Jewish family. For more, here's the interview: https://www.jta.org/2020/09/14/global/the-avinu-malkeinu-kid-isnt-amare-stoudemires-son-but-he-does-have-a-message-for-the-high-holidays-take-it-from-his-mom

"As we enter this new year, may we write on the open pages a story of hope and redemption for us and our community. May we draw pictures of love and laughter, of family and friendship. May our words come from our hearts and find safety and comfort on the daily pages of our life. May we all be inscribed for good in the book of life and meaning in this New Year." -- Rabbi Joel Simonds. Want more programs like this? Contribute to the Temple Fund. Text WBT to (424) 402-1881 or visit https://www.wbtla.org/about/donate Website: https://www.wbtla.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilshireboulevardtemple Twitter: @wbtla #wbtahome #highholydays

A brief lesson on the term "Bat Mitzvah" and Judith Kaplan