CARING CONGREGATION NEWS

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	CBar Mitzvah Boys - Paul Brown and Harry Herz

What began as a simple bar mitzvah project, turned into a blessing for our family and then into a gift that our son Harry gave to his family and friends, and to one 100 year old man in particular.

In the late-spring of 2009, in preparation for his bar mitzvah, Harry decided to visit elderly members of Temple Emanu-El through its outreach program, Caring Congregation. When the program’s director, Peggy Papert called our house one afternoon to say she had paired our 12 year old son with a 99 year old man, we were – to say the least – a little concerned. Those concerns quickly vanished, though, at our first visit with Mr. Brown.

When we met him, Paul Brown was living temporarily at Walnut Place, recuperating from an injury. Until that point, Mr. Brown had been living by himself in his own home near Temple. Mr. Brown’s beloved wife, Bernice had passed away in March 2009. Bernice was the first youth director at Temple Emanu-El.

Mr. Brown graciously welcomed Harry into his small apartment that first day, and eventually into his life. Harry began visiting Mr. Brown each week. The two boys – separated by 87 years – found much in common. They spent their time together talking, looking at old photographs, and playing cards. Mr. Brown is exceptionally lucky -- in life and in blackjack.

Harry had questions and Mr. Brown had answers. The secret to a long life? “Everything in moderation.” Harry’s 7 year old brother, Jack had some questions of his own for Mr. Brown: “When your teeth fall out at 99, can you put them under your pillow?” Mr. Brown promised to see if that deal with the tooth fairy still worked. Mr. Brown still has all of his teeth.

When Mr. Brown moved to a new apartment in August, Harry’s weekly visits continued.

As Harry shared with Mr. Brown his bar mitzvah preparations, Harry learned a secret. Mr. Brown never had his bar mitzvah. See, in 1923, Mr. Brown’s family was one of only a handful of Jewish families living in their small South Carolina community, so a bar mitzvah wasn’t possible.

With Harry's blessing, our family hatched a plan. We approached Rabbi Knight and he was sold instantly. We then approached Mr. Brown. Without hesitation, Mr. Brown agreed.

On January 9, 2010, at 4:30 pm, 150 friends and family arrived at the Sanctuary for our son’s bar mitzvah. Mr. Brown sat on the bima, dressed in a suit and tie. When it was time for the third Alliyah, Mr. Brown came forward.

With only the faintest quiver in his voice, Mr. Brown read the first Torah blessing. He then stood next to Harry as he finished his Torah portion. Mr. Brown finished the Torah blessing. Rabbi Knight then placed his hands on Mr. Brown’s frail shoulders and gave him the bar mitzvah blessing. Mr. Brown began weeping. Harry’s eyes quickly filled with tears.

Until this moment, the guests that day did not understand why Mr. Brown was on the bima or what was happening. Soon, the audience realized that Paul Brown, age 100, had just become a bar mitzvah. Everyone was truly moved.

In his closing speech, Harry turned to his elderly friend on the bima and exclaimed, "Mr. Brown, today you're a man!"

Harry, you became a man that day too…

Mazel Tov, Mr. Brown!

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