It's Never Too Late
I recently received an invite for a Bat Mitzvah that read, “Is 47 years too late?”
It was from my dear friend Leslie. She and I go way back. I was 14, had just moved into Highland Park, and was told that a girl my age lived down the street. I knocked on her door and said, “I’m new here, want to be friends?”
I learned how to prospect at an early age. Clients, friends… it’s all the same process.
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual in Judaism. According to Jewish law and tradition, before children reach a certain age (usually 12 or 13), the parents are responsible for their actions. Once the child reaches that age, they are said to "become" B'nai Mitzvah, at which point they take on the religious privileges and responsibilities of an adult.
The Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony serves as public recognition of this status, with the boy or girl reading from the Torah and chanting the blessings. It’s an important milestone, bringing families and the community together.
I attended Hebrew school and was a Bat Mitzvah at age 12. I still remember the party. It was in Hackney’s basement, and we had a DJ spinning the latest records. One of my friends had several snaps on her dress come undone during a dance game. She’ll never forget the party either!
Leslie did not have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Forty-seven years later, she decided it was time! Months of study, late nights and hard work lay ahead.
It all paid off! She read her Torah portion beautifully, with elegance and purpose. Afterwards, Leslie made a very touching speech on why she decided to have a Bat Mitzvah.
Back in the day, she did not get along so well with Hebrew school, so she quit. But her commitment to her religion and community never wavered. She encouraged her three girls to be involved in Jewish studies, and they all had Bat Mitzvahs. She worked at her synagogue and drew strength from the congregation. As the years went on, she realized… it’s never too late.
The most touching part was watching her 96-year-old father see his daughter become a Bat Mitzvah. How could you not cry with happiness?
Is there something you have always wanted to accomplish? Go for it! It’s never too late to Maximize Your Return on Life.
Mazel Tov, Leslie.
Shari Greco Reiches
Shari co-founded Rappaport Reiches Capital Management with one goal - to maximize the return on life for her clients. Please connect with Shari below. She loves to talk about investing, financial planning, and Barry Manilow.