This is my great grandfather's talis. He received it at his bar mitzvah when he turned 13. Since then, my mother, cousins, sister and I have all been bat mitzvah-ed in it. It has become a tradition in my family, starting with my great grandfather. My grandfather and uncle were both not bar mitzvah-ed in it because they also received their own talis on their bar mitzvahs. It is off white with fringes on both ends. The fringes symbolize God's commandments, and you use the fringes to provide a barrier between yourself and the torah as you read from it. There is also a prayer written on the talis, and it is located on the part that rests on the back of your neck. You are meant to read this prayer from the talis at the start of your bar or bat mitzvah, before you say or do anything else. The talis is also used to provide a sense of personal space during prayer, which is a very calming concept during a bar or bat mitzvah. This sense symbolizes separation from others, and puts you into your own bubble so that you have an opportunity to think and pray freely. 

– ZB

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more