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December 12, 2003
A triple b'nai mitzvah
OJC helps Kimberly family perform Jewish tradition.
PETER BARWIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
With a population of 7,057 people, Kimberly is located on Highway
95A, in the B.C. Rockies. It is the highest city in Canada, at 1,120
metres. Known for its skiing, cafés, boutiques, hiking, camping
and golf, this gem of a city just witnessed a unique religious experience:
a triple b'nai mitzvah.
During a visit to Kelowna and a meeting with Sam Larry, the Okanagan
Jewish Community (OJC) religious leader, Kimberly residents Carol
and Andy Cohen discussed the possibility and viability of a b'nai
mitzvah for their three children. The concept, subject to the approval
of their children, was that Larry would put the wheels in motion
and begin a long-distance relationship of teaching and preparing
the three siblings for the lifecycle event.
When the proposal was put forward by their parents, Benjamin, Nathan
and Rachel unanimously accepted the challenge. Several visits between
Kimberly and Kelowna (560 kilometres away) took place over four
months. Torah and Haftorah readings were faxed, together with the
necessary brachot (blessings). Attempts to communicate pronunciations
via cassette tape were no match for the direct personal power of
the telephone. All of this required a lot of hard work.
The Kimberly Golf Club was the venue for the 65 guests who witnessed
the first communal Sabbath service in Kimberly. Attendees included
the mayors of Kimberly, Fernie and Cranbrook. Friday night saw the
prayer for the candles beautifully done by Rachel; Benjamin and
Nathan shared the wine and bread brachot. On Saturday morning, after
prayers, the desire, perseverance and dedication of the three Cohen
children was reflected in the faces of their proud parents.
The realization of this unique simchah is a tribute to the effort
that Jews put into instilling Yiddishkeit and fostering our way
of life in the future torch-bearers of our faith.
Peter Barwin is a liaison for the Kelowna Jewish Community.
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