Bar Mitzvah Speech Chase Pultman February 28, If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,

Transcription

1 Bar Mitzvah Speech Chase Pultman February 28, 2015 Chase sings: If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea, I'll sail the world to find you If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you Find out what we're made of When we are called to help our friends in need You can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be there And I know when I need it I can count on you like four, three, two, You'll be there 'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah 1

2 (FOLLOW ALONG THE WORDS WITH YOUR EYES AND FINGER) Shabbat Shalom! (wait for congregation to respond) These are lyrics from the song You Can Count on Me by Bruno Mars. I sang this song last year in choir and really thought the lyrics were a great reflection of my Torah portion for today. When we take a first look at this week s Torah portion, we read that Moses is commanded by G-d to tell the Jewish people to pay a 1/2 Shekel. First, this payment will count each Israelite over the age of 20 towards a master census. Second, The Israelites believe that this contribution will provide them with protection from plagues. Third, Everyone pays the same amount, no matter what. 2

3 When we take a deeper look, we see many reasons why this 1/2 Shekel payment is important. Yes, this fee can serve as an enrollment tally onto a master list. It can also be seen as the first step in building a community.the enrollment can also serve these ancient people in practical ways. First, In case of an attack, it was important for Moses to know who he could count on for protection. Second, the Master Census helped the new community to become more organized. Each person is assigned a job. So, the entire community functions at a higher level. Everyone contributes. Everyone is important. Everyone Counts. Even though my Torah portion is about the census and the literall counting of the Israelite people, there are other ways a person can count. To count on someone can also mean to rely on that person. G-d told Moses to count everyone over the age of 20; no matter if they were rich or poor, great or small, had abilities or challenges. We see that even in very early Jewish history there was equality among all people. Everyone was treated equally. 3

4 Because I have Autism, I don t always count in the eyes of others. People only see my diferences and dont take the time to get to know the real me. I have diiculties with things that come much easier to other kids. I have trouble with speech. I need extra help in school. I am sensitive to being touched. And, I have trouble making friends. I know what it is like to not be counted and not included. Kids can pick on me because they don t understand me. They don t include me. In some peoples eyes, I just don t count. What people don t realize about me is that while I do have challenges, I also have certain abilities. My mom calls them my Super Powers. For example, my senses are much stronger than other peoples. In that way I am unique. It takes a lot of courage and strength to be me. My family encourages me to work hard and never give up! Just like on our trip to Israel last summer. I jumped of clifs and repelled down waterfalls. They sure looked at me diferently after that! People just need to give me a chance and not count me out. 4

5 Also, I am really proud of two special talents I love to write stories, and I am a 2nd degree purple belt in Karate! Finally, I am so proud of how hard I have worked to become a Bar Mitzvah. I now count as an adult member of the Jewish people. I am here to be counted on, relied on, and depended on. For my Mitzvah or Good Deed projects, I chose to serve my community in three diferent ways. First, I selected the Lift for Life Academy. I collected new and gently-used school supplies at Rockwood Valley Middle School. These school supplies are really needed because students at the Academy cannot aford to purchase their own. My second project was through the JCC Mitzvah Camp. I participated in a variety of community service programs, like working at the Jewish Food Pantry. 5

6 Third, during my 2014 summer trip to Israel, I visited the Kfar Yeladim Center for Children at Risk. I toured the building and got to meet with some of the kids who live there. The founders explained that the kids who live there come from abusive homes. They move into Kfar Yeladim so they have a place where they count. My big brother Caleb and I gave them a check from money we had earned doing chores. Today I share my Bar Mitzvah with Ya-shane-ko Ben-dick. He was born in Kee-ev and was killed in 1941 at the age of 7 during the holocaust. This empty chair is in memory of his life and how he counted too. Becoming a man means that I am now more aware of those who have helped me along the way. So, please rise and remain standing when I say your name. Mom: Thank you for always believing in me and teaching me to believe in myself. 6

7 Dad: Thank you for giving my life such happiness and taking us on so many great trips and adventures. Caleb: Thank you for being the best big brother ever. Being such a great role model and always including me and telling me such funny stories. Rabbi Rose and Rabbi Friedman: Thank you for being such an important part of this day. Thank you for helping me to understand my Torah portion and to write this speech. Cantor Sharon and Morah Enid: Thank you for your patience, love and understanding. You are the best religious teachers I ever had. 7

8 Everyone else please rise. You are all here because you have a special place in my soul. (JUST READ) You can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be there And I know when I need it I can count on you, like four, three, two, You'll be there. Thank you. 8