For me
the last year has been what my parents and I call the bat-mitzvah season. Many
year seven girls and year eight boys have a whole year of going to different
bat-mitzvahs, sometimes one or two a week. 2016 was my turn. I have experienced
a wide assortment of bat-mitzvahs including my own. All of these celebrations
were unique and I frequently enjoyed getting dressed up almost every other
weekend to celebrate with the lucky family. However there was one concept of
each bat-mitzvah that did not change. Almost all of the bat-mitzvahs I attended
this year were based around the meal. The main event of the many of the parties
I experienced was the exceptional lunch or exquisite dinner. All of these
events had wonderful catering and amazing canapés and three course meals but I
want to know why the main event has to be food.
This
question occurred to me many times when I came home from a party. My dad would
always raise the same question. “What was the food like?” he does not question
the dancing or the speeches; he always questions the meal and the wondrous
reception food. And I don’t blame him. Furthermore, many people will make
inquiries about the food including myself. I am not in doubt of the food but I
still would like to know why the main event of most parties is the meal.
I had
the great joy of celebrating my own bat-mitzvah this year. My special event
consisted of dancing speeches and obviously food. My Shabbat service also
included a massive buffet Kiddush. I remember thinking how much I was looking
forward to the Kiddush throughout the majority of the service. I only
understand now that most of the time all I could think about was the food. Is
this really a bad thing if it is what I’m used to? Not really but when it
strikes me now I would have liked to think that someone would complement the
best friend speeches which were astonishing or the amazing Israeli dancing that
took place throughout the evening.
However
I realised that the bat-mitzvah didn’t have to be all about the food when I
experienced another bat-mitzvah last May. This was when I went to one of my
closest friend’s bat-mitzvah. I barely remember many canapés coming round only
1 or 2. The actual meal that night was certainly not the main event either it
was small and not a sit down so no one was stopped from dancing or laughing in
the photo booth. However the unusual thing was I did not think that anything
was missing from this party. Throughout the evening no body looked upset or
felt like something was missing. This was also one of the highlights of my
bat-mitzvah year.
Although
I did not find out an answer to my original question, I did find out one thing.
Although I have a great passion for bat-mitzvah food, it doesn’t have to be the
main event. So next time somebody comes home from a bat-mitzvah don’t question
the food, question the dancing or the speeches. Food does not have to be the
most important thing. It only is if you make it. It’s time to make a difference.
the photo above is from the Saturday lunch of my bat-mitzvah
