GILAD HARARY was Bar-Mitzvah on Shabbat Parashot Nitzavim-Vayelekh, September 20th 2003. This is what his mother, Terri Harary, writes: Our youngest son, Gilad, celebrated his Bar-Mitzvah on September 20th - the week before Rosh Hashanah. We closed the circle - all four of our children were Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Torat Hayim - all four of them by Rabbi Roth! Each child prepared for his/her big day in much the same way. They participated in Shabbat morning services, practiced their Torah portions, put on tefilin and did us all proud!! Gilad learned his Torah portion from Ziggy Sobel. He enjoyed his lessons and looked forward to each one of them. We didn't have to remind him or prod him to practice. He was a diligent student and the day of his Bar-Mitzvah was one of pride and joy for all of us. His hard work paid off and he did a wonderful job. He became a Bar-Mitzvah with all his family surrounding him - including his grandfather and uncle who traveled from the U.S.A. Each of his siblings took part in the service and it was a true family affair. Having "done this" three times before, we were at home and could feel the warmth and friendship of the "Torat Hayim Family" that worshiped with us that Shabbat morning. Terri Harary TOMER MOR was Bar-Mitzvah on Shabbat Parashat No'aĥ, November 1st 2003. This is what his mother, Orna Mor, writes: I first visited the synagogue one Shabbat about two years ago; I came with Elli and Gila Gershon. I liked the atmosphere and so, when I was looking for a synagogue for Tomer, I first turned to Gila. She gave me Rabbi Roth's telephone number: we talked about the conditions, which Tomer accepted, and thus we started out on the interesting but demanding journey which is called Bar-Mitzvah. Each time we came to the synagogue, before and during the study period, I was very pleased with the fact that the Rabbi explained which book to use and at which page to open it; in this way I was able to follow what was going on and to participate. I was also very pleased with the family atmosphere and the friendly faces. The ceremony itself took place on Shabbat Parashat No'aĥ. Before the ceremony I met with the Rabbi in order to arrange between us which of the members of the family would participate and what they would do. So it came about that during the ceremony each one of us had a part to play and we all got to participate. This was the first time that I had been present at a Bar-Mitzvah and actually understood what was going on and felt a part of what was happening. It was wonderful!!! DANIEL KARIV was Bar-Mitzvah on Shabbat Parashot Behar-Beĥukotai, May 15th 2004. This is what his father, Peter Kariv, writes: Our synagogue was full with regular worshippers and others not so regular who knew Daniel from birth - among them some who can recall how aged seven and one quarter he tried to help Avi Wolman blow the Shofar - and also friends and family who came to celebrate the occasion. Daniel fulfilled his rôle with an exemplary reading of the Maftir and the Haftarah which filled his parents with pride. His brothers thoroughly enjoyed pelting him with sweets and behaved nicely - which is not entirely their wont. Relatives came from outside town and from across the seas. From the latter we received compliments on our service and on how easy it had been to follow what was going on. There were also Daniel's friends from school and some who had been with him at his first primary school. Also the delightful Kiddush which Cyril Solk prepared - and which was served so elegantly by friends from the congregation - contributed to the pleasant feel of the event. But, as a father, the most positive aspect was not what happened on the day itself but the preparation for the great day. Daniel learned to read the Torah and the Haftarah, and by reguarly attending synagogue services he developed and good knowledge of the prayer-book and of our people's customs/ Heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Roth who prepared my son for this occasion so well and for his future life as a Jew - and not just an Israeli. OMER OKMIAN was Bar-Mitzvah on Shabbat Parashat Pinĥas, July 23rd 2005. This is what Omer writes: Before I started to study for my Bar-Mitzvah I didn't know what to expect. I was a bit apprehensive, a bit shy and a bit nervous. But then I began to study and I realized that it's not all that difficult or impossible. My teacher, Ziggi Sobel, taught me in an excellent manner - with patience, without pressure and tons of fun. I really enjoyed going to the lesson each week, and each time I was surprised how quickly the time had passed. That's how it is when you are enjoying yourself. Ziggi also taught me how to lay tefillin. I was very nervous when we travelled to the synagogue where I laid tefillin and had my first aliyyah to the Torah. Apart from that there were also lessons with our rabbi. Those lessons were very interesting and I learned a lot from them. My Bar-Mitzvah went off very well. I was terribly nervous, but in the end everything went off very well indeed. What made me particularly happy on the day of my Bar-Mitzvah was the fact that many members of our family came from the USA to hear me.