The invitations go into the mail today!
You may wonder why we used a tree as a symbol on them, rather than a more obvious choice like a Torah or a Jewish star. For us, the tree has several meanings:
To become Bar Mitzvah, Isaac has learned to read from the Torah. The Torah, the first five books of the bible, is often referred to as etz chayim, “a tree of life to them who hold fast to it.” The wooden dowels that hold the parchment scroll are also called etz, or tree.
Obviously, trees figure strongly throughout the Torah, starting with the tree in the Garden of Eden. This isn’t surprising, considering that the ancient Israelites, as a desert people, would have highly valued trees both for their fruit and their shade.
Trees are powerful symbols in and of themselves, and they feature in common expressions. It’s easy to find many meanings that are appropriate for Isaac’s bar mitzvah celebration, like the importance of our “family tree,” particularly in sharing this milestone in Isaac’s life, or the fact that Isaac is becoming as “strong as a tree.”
The specific tree image we chose for the invitation is an oak because it reflects the environment around us in Northern California. We feel blessed to live among such beautiful surroundings–something we’re reminded of every day when we drive to the dentist through the apple orchards, or pass vineyards on our way to the chiropractor, or enjoy a vista of a hillside studded with oaks.
Finally, the image reminds us of our new synagogue itself, which is overlooked by a stunning oak tree.
