My tallit is given to me by my grandparents, and it is the thing I cherish most in the world. A tallit is a fringed prayer shawl usually worn by Jewish people. Orthodox Jews wear these everyday, but reformed Jews get theirs on their bar or bat mitzvahs. You wear a tallit to show your faith in God. A tallit looks like a scarf. Mine is sparkling gold and white silk. There are winding branches twisted with blossoming flowers and a few soaring birds. In my family it is a tradition for my grandparents to give the tallit on the bar or bat mitzvah day, as they did for my sister and then for my brother. They order each tallit from the same company based in Israel. They choose each of ours based on our distinct personalities. My sister’s was pink and eccentric, while my brother’s was subtle and blue. Once they give it to us, they explain the meaning behind it, and it bonds us in a very special and personal way. To me, having my grandparents give it to me shows that they understand and respect the amount of work I put into my bat mitzvah. When I look back on my bat mitzvah I will always remember my unique, gold silk tallit.  I am going to keep this tallit forever. I hope to pass it down to my children on their bar or bat mitzvah. 

– AW

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