On Wednesday evening, the sixth grade talmidot of RYNJ enjoyed a festive banquet as the culmination of their Orah V’Simcha bat mitzvah program. The gym was transformed into a beautiful party space where mothers and faculty joined the bnot mitzvah in their celebration.

The very busy evening began with a gallery display of the girls’ writing projects about impactful woman role model in their families.

The talmidot and their moms then packed Yad Leah “Kesher Kits,” using all the new infant clothing that the sixth graders had collected in their chesed initiative.

After a delicious dinner, Rabbi Price spoke to a captive audience about the meaning of the special milestone of becoming a bat mitzvah. This was followed by a video montage with pictures of each bat mitzvah and her mother, narrated by the girls, as they shared why they love their moms.

The talmidot had studied the text of אשת חיל, identifying which woman role model from Tanach they most closely identified with each pasuk. They then selected the pasuk that they thought best described their mothers and created beautiful art pieces which they presented to their mothers as an expression of their hakarat hatov at the banquet. The girls showcased their impressive talent as they performed original simcha themed dances that they themselves choreographed.

Finally the girls presented one another with the grade-wide bat mitzvah gift, an Artscroll Siddur which will serve as a מזכרת of their beautiful evening of אורה ושמחה. Mazal tov!