Sunday, July 3, 2022
Many phrases in pop-culture are attributed to C-3PO, including “Thank the Maker” from A New Hope. We share a similar praise for Adonai here at Sci-Tech, but this Shabbat was unique: we welcomed a “Jedi” counselor to the bimah to read his Bar Mitzvah Torah portion from many years ago by using a lightsaber yad (meaning “hand”) during our Seder K’riat HaTorah, the Torah service.
This summer, many of our “young padawan” campers are studying to become B Mitzvah. During the session, campers meet with faculty members and members of the Jewish Life team to practice their Torah portion, Haftarah, and prayers during menucha – the rest hour after lunch.
During Shabbat morning services yesterday, Session 1 campers in this group received a blessing and a Torah Reading yad resembling a Star Wars lightsaber. This gift, which lights up in various colors, brings Judaism and STEM together to signify the honor, achievement, and responsibility of becoming a B Mitzvah.
“Bestowing a lightsaber yad onto each camper preparing for their B Mitzvah is about honoring and lifting up their dedication to Judaism,” director Rabbi Dan Medwin says. “It’s hard during menucha when their hallmates are playing games or resting, for them to remain in the dining hall to study hard, but they remain determined nonetheless.”
As we head into a new week in Byfield, campers will continue the Sci-Tech experience intertwining daily Jewish life, the fields of STEM, and our favorite STEM-adjacent cultural icons.