A Letter from Will Springer

Dear Rabbi Paul,

I want to take a moment to thank you for everything you did to make Cami’s Bat Mitzvah service so special and meaningful for everyone who attended. It was an incredible, magical, and joyous day—one that exceeded all my expectations, and for that, I am beyond grateful.

Having never planned a Bat Mitzvah before, I’ll admit I was nervous about the process. I remember being in shock when we first received the email saying there was a Zoom meeting to walk us through everything. That feeling stayed with me for months, especially after we received the actual date!

Looking back now, there were so many thoughtful touches that made the service unique and meaningful:

• Rabbi Lana worked with Cami to help craft her speech with care that perfectly captured Cami’s thoughts and feelings.
• Diane Townsend guided Cami for over a year, helping her with the prayers, her Torah portion, and how to deliver her speech with poise and clarity.
• Andrew’s beautiful music set a moving and spiritual tone for the service.
• We were able to personalize the service, from selecting specific songs and prayers that that were especially meaningful to our family.
• Inviting both Rabbi Julia and Rabbi Lana to the bimah to bless Cami was such a lovely and thoughtful moment.
• The literal “handing down” of the Torah from generation to generation brought a profound sense of connection to our family’s Jewish heritage.

One of the most poignant moments was when you asked Cami if she was ready to begin the service, and she said she wasn’t. You immediately sensed her nerves and responded with such kindness and wisdom. You asked her to look around the room at all the people who love her and reminded her to wrap herself in the protection of her tallit and the Torah. In doing so, you not only calmed her but also set a comforting tone for the entire service, especially for those who had never been inside a synagogue before.

Your attention to the greater context of the world was deeply felt when you acknowledged the hostages and Israel before the Mourner’s Kaddish. It was a meaningful way to remind us of the responsibilities and realities of being Jewish in today’s world.

Throughout the entire process, you guided us step by step, always understanding our family’s unique situation. You knew how important it was to me to show that a blended, divorced family could be just as loving and unified as any other. Marly and I were intentional about honoring as many family members as possible, and one of the most touching examples of this was allowing my parents to present Cami with her tallit. This moment, which is traditionally done by the parents, was made even more meaningful as my parents stood beside her as the congregation sang “Shehecheyanu.” Seeing them all beaming with joy is a memory I will cherish forever.

You also understood that our guests came from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds, as well as many who were not Jewish at all. When I wondered if we should put together a booklet to explain the service, you wisely suggested that you could explain the components during the service itself. You were right—the decision to forgo the booklet made the service more personal and intimate.

A piece of advice I’d offer to other parents is to write their speeches well in advance. I found it challenging to strike the right balance—wanting to express my deep love for Cami without overwhelming her with emotion. I also wanted to recognize the significance of this moment in her life and to declare publicly how much I believe in her. Rehearsing the speech in the sanctuary while Cami was meeting with Rabbi Lana was key to helping me stay composed during the actual service.

One of the most profound moments for me took place about a week before the Bat Mitzvah during our meeting with you. I assumed the purpose was to finalize logistics and ensure you knew how to pronounce family members’ names, but it ended up being so much more. You put Cami completely at ease, reassuring her that you’d be with her every step of the way, and even predicting that by the third or fourth prayer, she’d feel more comfortable (you were absolutely right!). When you had Cami add you as a contact in her phone and told her she could reach out to you anytime, for any reason, it was an act of love that had a profound impact not only on her but also on me and Marly as well.

Seven years ago, when I made the decision to join Congregation Or Ami, it took about nine months of consideration. It wasn’t easy to leave the synagogue where the rest of my family were members, but I knew I was making the right decision for my daughter. I wanted a place where Cami could learn about Judaism, feel connected to God and the Jewish community, and grow spiritually. Or Ami has been that safe and nurturing space for her—and for us as a family.

I have no doubt that for the rest of her life, Cami will look back on her Bat Mitzvah with joy, pride, and gratitude for the experience she had. And I couldn’t ask for anything more!

With heartfelt gratitude and love,

Will Springer