Valentina’s Bat Mitzvah at Neshamah: Kindness, Legacy, and Strength

A Chain She Now Carries

Valentina opened her service by reminding everyone what a Bat Mitzvah truly means: becoming responsible for doing good in the world. She spoke about the Shema not as a prayer she says because her parents or teachers taught it to her, but as one she now carries as her own. That shift, from being taught a tradition to owning it, is exactly what this day is about.

When she reached L’Dor Vador, Valentina described herself as a link in a long chain, one she did not start and will not end. She spoke warmly about baking with her mother for the Jewish holidays, a tradition she hopes to pass down herself one day. It was a small, specific detail, and it said more about her Jewish identity than any abstract statement could.

A Dvar Torah on Sarah and Rebecca

Valentina’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, gave her rich material to work with, and she rose to it. She noted the striking irony that a portion called “the life of Sarah” actually opens with Sarah’s death, and drew from that a lesson about legacy: that a life is measured not by its length but by what it leaves behind.

She was especially drawn to Rebecca at the well, offering water not only to Eliezer but to his ten camels. Valentina pointed out that this simple act of generosity was what marked Rebecca as worthy of becoming a mother of the Jewish people. Kindness, she said, reveals who we truly are. She also noted that Sarah is the only woman in the Torah whose age at death is recorded, a detail she took as a sign of Sarah’s unique importance and righteousness.

Valentina closed her Dvar Torah with real clarity: becoming a Bat Mitzvah is not only about being called to the Torah, but about choosing every day to live with purpose, kindness, and care for others.

Remembering Anna Bondi

Valentina chose to honor Anna Bondi, a Holocaust survivor born in Rome in 1928, connecting Anna’s story to her own Italian heritage. She spoke about the prayer book Anna received as a young girl and carried everywhere, and about how Anna had to hide her Jewish identity during the war while never letting go of it inside. Valentina described the family’s return home after liberation, and how, even with so much lost, being together mattered more than any belonging.

It was a moving choice, personal and specific, and Valentina told it with real care for Anna’s memory.

A Community Moment

Valentina closed her service with heartfelt thanks to her parents, her family and friends, and her teachers, acknowledging the patience and guidance that brought her to this day. What began as a young woman easing her way into this moment ended with her standing fully in it, grounded, thoughtful, and proud.

Mazel tov, Valentina. Your community is honored to have witnessed the strength and grace you brought to this day.

With love and blessings,

Rabbi Amy

Learn about Neshamah’s unique Bat Mitzvah training program niboca.org/bar-bat-mitzvah-boca-raton.