Michael Sky's Bar Mitzvah!

My original plan for my bar mitzvah was the typical city one. But I also wanted something different, something original. When my parents suggested having it at a very special place in our families' hearts I knew that's what I wanted to do. It would be held at Camp BB Riback.

This place is special to our family. My grandparents, Bill and Rivvy Meloff, were directors there for 17 years. Because of this, my mother, aunt and uncle all grew up there. On my dad's side many of his cousins and siblings attended camp as well. This place is where my mother and father met and fell in love. The first time at a camp Sadie Hawkins dance when they were campers and again when they were staff.

I also have been attending this camp for 6 years now and I absolutely love it! My brother, Billy has been having fun at camp for 4 summers now as well.

My bar mitzvah weekend began on Thursday June 25 when my mom, dad, brother and I drove out to camp to get there early to set up. Immediately when we drove through the big gates entering to camp we felt warmly welcomed and excited to embark on my bar mitzvah weekend. Over 150 people came to my special day, with several different itineraries. Some of our guests spent the weekend at camp, and some came for the Saturday festivities. For the people staying from Friday-Sunday, we all stayed in the Meloff LTP Village. Some guests preferred a hotel and stayed the nights in Red Deer.

For Friday night dinner, everyone ate in the Chadar, the place where during summer sessions we all eat. My brother Billy and I as well as some of my cousins led the Motzi (prayer for bread) in the traditional camp way. For dinner we ate a delicious chicken dinner, catered by the Main Event, who also catered the rest of the weekend at camp. Another reason this day was so special was that my babbi celebrating a special birthday, (Anita Sky). I was so happy to share this amazing birthday at my special weekend. This night ended with a campfire down in the village. It was a great and very camp-like way to end the beginning of a great weekend.

Saturday morning began with my bar mitzvah service in a huge tent set up at degel. I led the whole thing and was so happy to become a bar mitzvah at degel, camp's main area where during summer sessions we meet and raise and lower the flag during the day. To become something so special and important in Jewish heritage was truly magical.

Because I did not have my service at a synagogue, I didn't have a rabbi come from the city. Instead one of my dad's cousins, Hillel Goelman, from Vancouver, happens to be a rabbi, so we asked him if he could assist me in becoming a bar mitzvah. He was glad to do so and I couldn't have done it without his help in the service. Another person who helped me so much to learn the service, was Tslila Barzel. She was so great and helpful, I couldn't have done it without her!

One of the most fun things of the service was being able to participate. Ive always wanted to stand up there and lead and be the one people respond to. It gives me such a great feeling to be important and useful in the service! I also loved having people throw candy at me. That was very funny.

After my service we had a traditional kiddush luncheon in the chadar. I got to talk to most of my guests and make sure they were enjoying themselves.

After the lunch, the rest of the afternoon was very relaxed. My guests could basically participate in a camp activity filled afternoon. There was swimming, baseball, basketball and soccer and just hanging out. It really felt like I was at camp, but with all of my family! I was so excited to celebrate my bar mitzvah with a huge dinner and party.

For dinner, we had many buffets set up and tables in the big tent at degel where I had my bar mitzvah. After dinner we danced the night in away in the Olam and had a bonfire down at the Village.

For Sunday brunch it was held off camp at The Capri Hotel in Red Deer. We had a really nice meal and I got a chance to say good bye to everyone and thank everyone.

I would like to thank my parents for all their support and for helping me prepare for this amazing day. I also would like to thank them for paying for it! I would also like to thank my brother for his quietness when I blurted out my haftorah in the middle of the living room while he was watching TV. I would like to thank my grandparents and aunts and uncles for hosting the Friday dinner and Sunday brunch.

I would also like to thank Max and Camp BB-Riback for providing such a fantastic venue.

And finally, a big thanks to all my friends and family for coming to help celebrate my big day. Every little thing you could have done made a huge difference in my big day, thank you so much!

My bar mitzvah was such a life changing experience. I had an amazing time and was so thrilled to be Òbar mitzva'dÓ at Camp BB-Riback. I am so glad to get it over with, but it's saddening that I spent so long preparing, then it was over in such short time. Though it was over so fast I had an amazing time and I will remember it forever.

~ Michael Sky