​“Bar mitzvah” means “age of the commandment”. This day marks a young man’s transition into adulthood within the religious community. It marks the beginning of many obligations and privileges as a Jewish adult. Perhaps a more appropriate definition would be “one who is prepared to take on the commandments,” because the bar mitzvah symbolizes the young person’s willingness to become responsible for the performance of mitzvot (good deeds) – the duties of Jewish life. 

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Over the last several years, Max has dedicated a great deal of time to study and learn how to read Hebrew so that he can read directly from the Torah.  On the day of his Bar Mitzvah, which will be held in Israel on July 4th, Max will be called up to read from the torah, the Hebrew text of the Five books of Moses, for the first time.