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Dad's (Glenn's) Bar Mitzvah Speech to Zack
This is incredible. Isn't it, Zack?I want to first acknowledge your mother, and how much she did, to make this day happen. Her words to you were beautiful…
I had written much of what I wanted to say to you here today, when I received an e-mail from a friend of mine, called "I dreamed I had an interview with God." I thought some of it was worth sharing…
When asked, "what surprises you most about mankind?" God replied that they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That by thinking too much about the future, they forget the present, and that they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived."
And later in the interview God was asked, "As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you would want your children to learn?"
God smiled: "To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved. And to learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is the one who needs the least."
Zack, what struck me here was that the present IS THE PRESENT, it IS the GIFT. It IS the only time when anything can happen, any change can occur. This moment is like a fresh, cool breeze. The rest exists only in our imaginations or memories.
Time flies. It seems like just yesterday when many of us here were welcoming you into the world. 13 years ago... it's incredible. And here I stand talking to you on the day when you become a Bar Mitzvah and it seems like somehow I am taking the reins from my father and so it will be for you.
This talis that I am wearing today was my grandfather's - your great grandfather, Morris Fishkin, and my hope is that you will be able to give it to your child. It is important to remember those that came before us that made it possible for us to be here today. Your great grandparents Morris and Lillian Fishkin, Jonas and Frieda Newman, Hyman and Lea Roth, Anne and Harry Herman. You didn't really know any of them, yet they are all with us here today in the congregation. I can feel their spirit in all of us. Your aunt, Marilyn. Your friend, Stu.
Zack, from the moment you were born your mom and I knew you were special. So many people you came into contact with were touched by your smile, your warmth, your sense of humor, your laughter. You have that special something that makes you uniquely Zack.
And my wish for you, is that you feel the exhilaration of being Zachary Newman - alive in this moment and every moment. And always maintain that balance in your perspective each and every day.
Whether you hit a home run or strike out, take the important lessons from both. The truth is, life isn't always fair. We don't all get the same experiences, the same lessons. But we each learn what we need to learn in order to fulfill our destiny.
You have to learn to trust. Maybe your bike gets stolen or a friend moves away. It's not easy to accept such things as these, but it is important to learn to understand and accept losses in your life. There are always reasons for why things happen, but you don't always get to know them.
So my message is to always have Faith Zack. Faith in yourself. And Faith in God. If you find yourself in fear around something, it is because you are lacking Faith.
But if you have Faith in God, and in yourself, you can turn and face whatever is in front of you. Each time you face your fear, you will gain strength, courage, and confidence.
So, be fearless. Stay happy. Give freely of yourself. Show up. Stay open to outcomes.
And in the immortal words of Bob Dylan: Stay, forever young.
I love you Zack.
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