A Belated Bar Mitzvah

A beautiful story that I read with tears of joy for Todd. My middle son has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. His Bar Mitzvah was delayed until he was nearly 16 but with a lot of support he and we celebrated. Sometimes waiting, even 28 years, makes the moment that much sweeter.

Mazel tov, Todd!

I have a son who's on the Autistic Spectrum, who had attended our Synagogue's Hebrew School, until it closed. They Synagogue that "absorbed" ours told us that my son was not welcome to attend their Hebrew School, as they "had no special needs people in [their] Hebrew School." And they told my daughter, who had helped out in our Hebrew School, that the only way she could help our in theirs, was if she was my son's tutor (It's the only way they would allow my son to go, as well.). We couldn't believe that a synagogue would do this! Needless to say, we found a different Hebrew School.

Rejection, instead of acceptance-and-willing-to-work-with-someone is so hard and unfair! I'm so happy that you finally had your dream come true, with loving, caring people!

Mazel tov, Todd!

No one should be turned away because of an intellectual imparement.

Mazel Tov Todd. This was such a lovely story. Good things do come to those who wait (or had to wait)

This was a beautiful story and I wish Todd a heartfelt Mazal Tov at being called up to the Torah for the very first time in his life, but I must correct a misconception: No Jewish male "Has" a bar mitzvah, he "BECOMES" a bar mitzva! As soon as a Jewish male reaches the age of 13 he is chayav [obligated] in all of the mitzvot that a Jewish man must do. He doesn't have to be called up to the Torah -- we just do that to formally announce to the public that he can now be counted in a minyan -- or have a party, it is just something that naturally comes along with reaching the age of 13 for a boy and 12 for a girl.

I broke down in tears as I heard Todd's story, see my daughter has dyslexia and ADD and I have often anguished over the fact that she is a year past her bat mitzvah age. She just isn't ready for the additional burden when her school studies(hebrew and secular) take up so much time. I am grateful for Todd and his inspirational story and I hope he continues to share it with all the LD kids. Your message was the one I needed to hear and gave me hope for my daughter. Thank-you Lori and Mazel tov Todd!

Here in Israel, in our Orthodox (Hareidi) community, our grandson who is on the autistic spectrum had a beautiful bar mitzvah. He was called up and said the brachas which he had thoroughly practiced with his older brother. Then his brother read the haftorah. We threw candies like we do at every other boy's bar mitzvah. We had a beautiful kiddush afterwards at which everyone approached the bar mitzvah boy and gave him a big mazel tov.

He was beaming with pride and so were we.

Instead of the mishnayas that we always give our grandsons we bought him a beautifully illustrated book on a Jewish subject.

Every Jewish child is a treasure. We have to make sure he feels like one.

I watch ALL your videos, but this one motivated me to write. As an OT with a physical disability I know where there's a will there's a way! Then I found out that my chevrusa Ellen Clyman is your friend! Small World! Keep up the good work! MAZEL TOV TO TODD!

What a wonderful story - so happy for this guy!

Just beautiful!! Mazel tov to Todd!! This blog reminds us why ALL Jewish children are entitled to and must receive a solid Jewish education, regardless of their intellectual/academic abilities.