"I started to cry when my son suggested that we have our B’nai Mitzvah together," said Pinecrest resident Irene Weisburd. " I was so touched that he had even though of it. I kept asking him: ‘Are you sure you want to share this special day together?’"

Palmetto Middle School student Brian Weisburd never changed his mind, and Irene resolved her worries about "taking away" from the specialness of her son’s Bar Mitzvah day. Preparations got under way.

"I think it was pretty cool when some of my friends came up to tell me how awesome it was to get Bar Mitzvahed with my mom. Even (Beth Am’s) Rabbi Paley seemed surprised that my Mom was in the sanctuary on our first visit".

Both Irene and Brian were excited since Judaism had never been a major part of Irene’s childhood, but now she could re-live part of it with her son.

"Our family observed the major holidays, but that was about it," Irene explained. "I got back into Judaism after I got married and had Brian."

Irene and her husband, Scott Weisburd, an attorney at Weisburd & Eisen, were founders of Beth Shalom on Miami Beach and involved in the Chavurah there. Even though Irene was also involved with National Council of Jewish Women and The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, she still felt "there was something missing."

After she attended the second half of the adult B’nai Mitzvah class at Temple Beth Am, Irene and Brian started mentoring, the process by which you learn your Torah portion and blessings for your bar or bat mitzvah.

Irene explained that in her Torah portion, Torah Emor, from the Book of Leviticus, God instructs his people to never forget their past - - 36 times. No other commandment says to do this so frequently.

"This potion was significant to me," explained Irene, "it meant that you should never forget where you came from in order to go forward." She dedicated this day to her grandparents and the Jewish legacy they left her with from childhood. "All the ‘Jewishness’ they instilled came alive again for me," Irene said.

The timing for Irene and Brian’s B’nai Mitzvah was especially good. Irene and her sister had just lost their lease for their successful toy and bookstore, A Likely Story, a South Miami fixture for many years.

"It was as if God decided this for us," Irene said. " After 20 years, our landlord didn’t renew our lease. So now I had time to prepare for our B’nai Mitzvah."

Irene and her sister sold all their inventory and now are currently seeking people who may be interested in purchasing their successful name and store concept, mailing list, expertise and gift basket business. You can visit their Website www:A Likely Story.com>.

Coming of age in the Jewish religion also means taking on adult responsibility and caring for others. Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids often do a mitzvah (good will) project in association with their celebration. For his, Brian collected several different kinds of sports balls to give to needy afterschool programs.

For Irene and Brian, their B’nai Mitzvah experience was one they will cherish throughout their lives. The duo may even be setting a trend.

"My friends told me that I had real ‘guts’ to do this with my son," Irene said. "I was the first one of our ‘group’ to do this – maybe I am starting something new".

In lieu of gifts, Irene asked if her friends could plant a tree in her name. "It would be wonderful to have a whole forest growing in honor of this special occasion," she said.

Congratulations to both of you.

Ideas for Inside Pinecrest? E-mail me: www:kascom@aol.com  or call 305-665-6783.

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