בס''ד

Mazal- Tov, Mazal-Tov!

The theme of my blog Miriam’s Words is family. I would like to tell you how a medical miracle brought happiness to our family.

This morning [Thursday], our family celebrated a miracle. Our grandson Gilad Eliahu Raphael, was called to the Torah for his first Aliya.

Celebrating with Gilad and his family were is classmates from ”Yeshivat Yashlatz”, where Gilad is a student in the 8th grade.

Shabbat, Parsha Noah, will be a Shabbat of celebration for our family. Gilad will once again be called to the Torah, where he will Lein [recite] the Torah portion and in the evening his parents will host a Melava Malka. Gilad, who is a Ben Torah, will give a shuir [talk] about Middot [good deeds].

Let me back track and tell you why Gilad’s Bar Mitzvah is a miracle.

After many years of marriage, my daughter and son-in-law made the decision to try I.V.F. in order to have a family. After some failed procedures, I won’t forget the day Devorah called and said the pregnancy test was positive. She was laughing and crying for joy so hard it was difficult to understand what she was saying.

On the 27th day of Tishri, 5758 [October 23rd 1997], my husband Avraham and I were blessed with a grandson.

Gilad, is the oldest child in his family and has five siblings, 4 sisters and one brother.

Mazal-Tov to Devorah and Hagai. May you always shep nachas and simchas from Gilad and your other precious children.

Mazal-Tov to Safta Miriam Horev, and the entire Horev/ Goodman families.

And a very special mazal-tov to our Bar Mitzvah boy. Gilad you have always been a source of pride and happiness to Saba Avraham and me. May you continue on the path of Torah and Mitzvot and be the best person you can be. We wish you B’hazalach [good luck] on all your endeavors.

We Love You!
Safta Miriam and Saba Avraham

Here are a few pictures from this morning's Aliya.

בס''ד

Shepping Nachas

Last Shabbos, Parsha Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16-20), Saba Avraham and I joined our family to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of our grandson Itamar Pinchas, at his kibbutz in Gush Etzion. Itamar is the son of our oldest daughter and son-in-law, Naomi and Eliezer.

Itamar leined his double parsha with ease, confidence and his voice was loud and clear. Itamar's many months of practicing had paid off. Truthfully, he was totally wonderful. 

Itamar practicing with his brother Yoni.



After shul I asked Itamar how he felt and all he could do to breathe a sigh of relief.......

Five weeks ago, Saba Avraham had the honour of davening at the Kibbutz's shul when Itamar put on his Tefillin for the first time.

Proud Abba with Yoni, Itamar and Dvir.



After davening, Itamar invited his class to come to his house for breakfast.

Back to Shabbos. The Shabbos meals were in the Beit Medrash and for seuda shilshi, Naomi and Eliezer invited their friends and neighbours to join the simcha. At each meal, one of Itamar's great uncles gave a shiur. Itamar gave his shiur at the seuda shilshi. 

The Bar Mitzvah celebrations continued on Tuesday when Naomi and Eliezer took Itamar's classmates and his kibbutz friends to Elk Farm Land in Gush Etzion,[click English link] where everyone had a blast rope climbing and doing other activities. Itamar on the ropes [turn on your speakers]. The Bar Mitzvah celebrations ended with a bar b' que.

All in all, the celebrations were very successful.

Mazal-Tov Itamar! You are a very special young man with a good heart and a beautiful smile. Saba and I are so very proud of you. We wish you much success as you grow and continue your learning.

Naomi and Eliezer, Mazal-Tov to you! You have a beautiful family and have given us wonderful grandchildren. May you both be well and shep nachas from your family! You have what to be proud of! Three more years until the next one...............

Im Yirtzeh Hashem, after Succot, on Parsha Noah, we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of our grandson, Gilad.

May Saba and I be well attend many Bar Mitzvahs and dance at our twelve grandchildren's weddings....

Simchas Only!

Miriam