I needed a sure-fire way to keep me from ruining my son’s . When a Jewish child reaches the age of 13, he or she is “called up” in a synagogue to stand in front of their community, and take on certain adult responsibilities. This rite of passage is a very big deal. For my son Craig’s Bar-Mitzvah, there were over four hundred people present to participate in prayer and to watch Craig, for the very first time, become a “son of the commandments.” My Bar-Mitzvah boy had dress rehearsal the Thursday night before. Siblings, grandparents and parents – that would be me, came together to learn our parts in the worship service, and to get (professional) family portraits taken. After faking it for the camera, we did a walk-through of the upcoming big night. At the part where I’m supposed to say a few words about how wonderful my baby boy is, I completely lost it. I didn’t just get choked up… I was heaving, I was crying so hard. Read next feature >