I have had the honor of planning two mitzvahs now!  Last November, I got to help the Friedman family celebrate Noah and Carlie in  making their b'nai mitzvah.  Last week, Max Tastensen also did a wonderful job making his bar mitzvah.  They all worked so hard, and my appreciation for the tradition and celebration has grown!  I learn more every time I assist in planning such an event!  For Noah and Carlie's, I learned about the Candlelighting Ceremony.  The guests of honor wrote 13 beautiful poems for family and friends, recited them, and invited them all up to light a special candle.  How beautiful!!  For Max's, I learned about the Motzi prayer, where Uncle Donald brought everyone together to pray and cut the challah in honor of Max and his mitzvah.  

I simply love and cherish all religions, traditions and creeds.  I embrace learning about diversity - even within same religions.  

"The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of the people" - Unknown