[Fredslist] A Rite Of Passage For A Jewish Boy [OP ED]

[Scott Stuart]

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*A Rite of Passage For A Jewish Boy*
**
By Scott Y. Stuart


I suppose the moment I knew my son Jordan was ready to become a young man
was last June, when he and I spent several hours together in the Holocaust
Museum in Washington, DC.   For me it defined a journey where he as my son
had emerged from little boy to a young man of depth and knowledge, desirous
of leaning about we as a people and our responsibilities as Jews.   It was
also one of those special moments where we bonded not only as father and
son, but as Jews.



At the conclusion of his Bar Mitzvah service, when my son reached out for
the Holocaust Torah maintained by the temple, I closed my eyes and saw
Jordan walking through the Holocaust Museum, soaking up the knowledge about
families torn apart, lost and killed all because they were Jews.  And I
recall after we walked through the Hall of Remembrance and I put my arm
around Jordan, the words he uttered to me about how pleased he was to learn
about this part of our Jewish heritage.   It made me proud that while he
entered the museum somewhat afraid, he left full of knowledge he was truly
pleased to have learned.  Jordan trusted me, and in return he rose to the
occasion and really marveled at this important and tragic part of our Jewish
lives. Best of all, we had the chance to share it together.



In honor of my son Jordan's Bar Mitzvah, and keeping with this theme,  I had
the rare and special opportunity to serve lunch to and spend time with
Holocaust survivors who live here in New York.  Many of them are close in
age to Jordan's three living great grandmothers.  Although it was hard for
some of thes survivors to get around, one need only to touch their hands and
look into their eyes to see the strength and resiliency that define these
courageous people.  With this awesome moment in hand I journeyed with my son
to the Torah knowing he took the time to learn about what the few who
survived went through to be here in the United States, free to live as Jews.
  I hope my son will know I did this for him so when we speak about that day
in Washington, DC we spent together he will know, in his honor, I not only
had the chance to spend time with the real living survivors of the of the
Holocaust but they had the chance to hear from me my jubilation over his
coming Bar Mitzvah day. This made each and every one of them so proud.   I
believe in my heart a part of each of these Holocaust survivors was with
Jordan as he read from the Torah, making his journey into manhood that much
more special.


I can think of nothing more moving however than watching Jordan reading from
the Torah.  He moved a room full of a people divided by divorce, yet
together with him and for him on this special day as one big family.   My
son's great grandmothers never thought they would live to see the day their
great grandson would achieve Bar Mitzvah.  My daughter Jessica, two years
his junior, could not have been more excited.  I can think of no greater
honor than standing at Jordan's side watching him chant his Torah and
Haftorah portions with poise, eloquence and a heartfelt connection to his
family and the Jewish community.   When we look back on this day, I hope
like me, he will find this part of the day to be the most important,
meaningful and moving. The tears in the eyes of many who watched you so
lovingly will always be a testament to this.

My son is now a man, at least according to Jewish law.  While part of him is
still my little boy, this rite of passage reminds me of how important it is
to pause and enjoy not only a moment like this, but those who share in it as
they help define the wonders of this life.  We are fortunate indeed to have
loyal and loving family and friends.  For it is they who define the moment
as much as the moment otherwise defines itself.  I stopped and paused not
only for the wonderment that is my son Jordan, but for those special people
who shared a part of their lives to be a part of his.  I am so fortunate
indeed.



Scott Y. Stuart  January 25, 2007


AUTHOR'S NOTE- Although I have not written an Op Ed piece in some time, this
awesome moment in my life prompted me to do so.  I am so happy to share
again with my Gotham family.



-- 
SCOTT Y. STUART. ESQ.
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