Solemn, festive, joyous; these words describe a bat mitzvah, a religious initiation ceremony for a Jewish girl twelve years or older. In fact, this achievement is regarded as the age of religious maturity. From my great grandma to my grandma to my mom and now to me a very special object has been passed down. This object is a silver jewish star necklace, that I was fortunate enough to receive when I made my bat mitzvah. Back in the 1930s when my great grandma took a trip to Israel before my grandma was born, she had found this very special necklace in the fabulous city of Jerusalem. From the moment she laid eyes on this necklace, she knew this valuable piece of jewelry was going to have an impact on not only her, but her family as well. Furthermore, this necklace symbolized the ties of her to her religion and identity. She wore it every day after that moment, but when my grandma had made her bat mitzvah, my great grandma thought it was time to let this object impact someone else the way it has impacted her. My grandma said, “No matter where I was at the moment, I always knew where that necklace was whether it was on my very own neck or locked up safely at home.” Moreover, the passing down of this necklace became a tradition in my family. My mom received it on her bat mitzvah, and so did I. Therefore, the impact that this necklace has had on me will forever be something that I can remember, and I can’t wait to pass this memorable item onto the next generation of my family. 

– Emily Ross

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