It was a long 5 years in the making. The twins started Hebrew School in 3rd grade. For years they spent two days a week going to the Temple, learning Hebrew and about the Jewish faith. In the last year, they upped it to 3 nights a week, adding a weekly session with a private tutor to learn their torah portion.
All this work culminated in their B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, where children of the Jewish faith are asked to lead a service and read from the Torah. After this ceremony you are considered an adult.
The weekend started with many people arriving and showing up to our house by Friday.

Friday evening we gathered with out-of-town guests at the bar of the Hotel Chicago Downtown, where the room block was booked, for cocktails and apps.
We had people coming from Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Utah.






It was so nice to spend time with some of these people before the event!
Saturday the twins had an afternoon service. The boys look so handsome in their new suits!

The ceremony was perfect. In large part because the twins did such an amazing job preparing for this moment. They presented with confidence and fluency.
We had many people get up and speak at the ceremony. My cousin Alexa started us off with a very heartfelt reading, followed by Adam’s cousin Brett. We have been lucky to continue to stay close to Brett as he has a second home here in Chicago and we get to see them sometimes when they are here.
Aaron went first, his portion was parshat Acharei-Mot. He gave a speech that spoke about how important second chances are and how everyone deserves them. He told a personal story about this, how he had a second change to try out for his soccer club, after being rejected the first time. He also spoke about his mitzvah project, making sandwiches for a church on the west side of Chicago and how maybe this mitzvah could help give people in that church a second chance as well. Then it was time to read from the Torah. Before he went up, he said to the Cantor, “I’m so nervous right now”. The Rabbi’s mic was hot and everyone in the temple heard it. I love Aaron’s ability to show vulnerability. Brene Brown would be so proud.
Aaron had three Aliyahs (prayer you say before and after each Torah portion reading). They were done by 1) his Bubbie, Sherry Kaplan and Aunt, Joy Calisoff, 2) his parents Adam and Nikki Calisoff, and 3) Aaron Calisoff.
Sam’s portion was parshat Kedoshim. He chose to focus on the laws requiring people to give to strangers and those in need. He mentioned how at the time these were laws and nowadays charity is a personal choice. Through his mitzvah project he saw people in need on the West side of Chicago, which made him understand that if you can, you should help people in need.
Sam’s Aliyahs were done by 1) Walter and Doris Devensky 2) Jack and Benjamin Calisoff 3) Sam Calisoff.
Afterwards we asked my friend from high school, Jessica Ferrari, to sing Mi Sherbeirach for us. When she got up and sung, I was nearly in tears. I don’t know if it’s because we have been friends for so long, or the fact that she is our life event person (she married us and officiated my mother’s funeral), if it was because her voice is so beautiful it feels godlike, or because not only is she a cantor but also she is a healer and to watch her sing a song about healing was all wrapped up in something much bigger than just the material world in which we live in. My father recorded it and I listened to again and even without sitting in the majesty of the Temple, I was still almost in tears. I added it here below so you can be in tears too.
Afterwards another one of Adam’s cousins, Reed, who came all the way from California for the event, read the Prayer for Peace. He used to present professionally and he really did well.
We rented buses for the kids and out of towners to get from the Temple to the East Bank Club, where the reception was held.
I haven’t received the pictures yet. Only the photo booth photos. You can click on the photo below to see them all.

When I get the pictures back from the photographer I’ll do another blog with pictures at the reception along with a commentary.
The next morning we had brunch at our house.

I want to thank everyone who made this day great! The Rabbis, Cantor and staff at Temple Sholom, Monika and her staff at the East Bank Club, our EMCC Josh and his crew from Energy Productions, the game rental company, Clowning Around & Celebration Authority, the photographer Gina from NorthShore Photography, the Candy company that made the after party take home gifts, Oh Happy Day, our caterers for the Sunday Brunch, Goddess and the Baker, and most importantly the guests who filled the room with love.
Stay tuned for the blog about the B’nai Mitzvah Party! Hopefully coming soon!
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