Where In the World Is Ilene?: ISRAEL #7: High Atop Mount Masada

The initial planning for the trip to Israel in December, 2008, actually started 13 years ago when Bill and Marjorie Handel became the proud parents of twin daughters, Barbara Leah Handel and Pamela Joelle Handel. It was an auspicious occasion in the Handel household and both Bill and Marjorie were committed to give the girls an understanding and appreciation of their Jewish heritage, not only within their family, but also through education.

The girls have attended a religious school since the age of three and before their 13h birthday became a B’not Mitzvah (plural for Bat Mitzvah). According to Jewish law, when children reach the age of majority (generally thirteen years for boys and twelve to thirteen for girls) they become responsible for their actions, and "become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.” In most Conservative and Reform synagogues, girls celebrate their Bat Mitzvahs at age 13, as do the boys. Prior to this, the child's parents are responsible for the child's adherence to Jewish law and tradition, and after this age, children bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, traditions, and ethics and are privileged to participate in all areas of Jewish community life. The term Bat Mitzvah literally translates to “daughter of Commandment” and implies “responsible female.”

Even though Barbara and Pamela celebrated this important event with a religious service and party in May, celebrating with family and friends in December atop Mount Masada, in Israel, took on special significance.

“After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, hundreds of Jewish refugees escaped from Jerusalem and fled to King Herod`s abandoned fortress-palace atop Mount Masada, near the Dead Sea. For three years, the refugees, known as "the Zealots," lived, farmed and prospered atop the mountain, taunting the Roman besiegers from its summit. When the Romans finally breached the refugees` stronghold in the year 73 CE, they discovered that 970 men, women and children had taken their own lives rather than becoming slaves. Masada was excavated in 1964 and has become one of Israel`s most prominent and most visited sites. For Israelis and for post-Holocaust Jews everywhere, it is a symbol of Israel`s self-reliance and determination that such atrocities will "never again" be committed against the Jewish people. Bat Mitzvah ceremonies atop Masada are held in the remains of the Zealots` Synagogue, arguably the world`s oldest synagogue still in use.”

Joining Barbara and Pamela for the ceremony were Stacie and Zoe Kellner, long time friends of the Handel family. Stacie, Zoe’s mother, decided to learn Hebrew and study to become a Bat Mitzvah with a group of other women at her synagogue just last year. Zoe also became a Bat Mitzvah last year with the traditional service and party.

We left Jerusalem early in the morning to be atop Mount Masada by 8:00am. The rabbi met us on top and after a brief discussion with the families began the service.

The setting was wonderful and profound. The rabbi told the story of Masada and related it to present day circumstances. Barbara, Pamela, Zoe and Stacie each read from the Torah, and related their personal reasons for wanting to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah in Israel.

As I sat in the audience I felt immense pride in the responsible young women they have each become and their dedication to the Jewish community around the world. It also brought back memories of my daughters, Heather and Erin, as they celebrated their own Bat Mitzvahs many years ago. At the end of the service there were hugs and kisses all around and then off we went to tour Masada. What a wonderful way to start the morning.

The site of Masada was identified in 1842 and extensively excavated in 1964 by an expedition led by Israeli archeologist Yigael Yadin. Due to the remoteness from human habitation and its arid environment, the site has remained largely untouched by humans or nature during the past two millennia. The Roman ramp still stands on the western side and can be climbed by foot. Many of the ancient buildings have been restored from their remains, as have the wall-paintings of Herod's two main palaces, and the Roman-style bathhouses that he built.

The synagogue, storehouses, and houses of the Jewish rebels have also been identified and restored. Inside the synagogue, an ostracon bearing the inscription Me'aser Kohen (title for the priest) was found, as were fragments of two scrolls. Archaeologist Yigael Yadin's excavations have so far uncovered the remains of 28 people at Masada. The remains of three people, a male 20-22 years of age, a female 17-18 and a child approximately 12 years old, were found in the palace and the remains of 25 people were found in a cave at the base of the cliff. Carbon dating of textiles found with the remains in the cave indicate that they are contemporaneous with the period of the Revolt. All the remains were reburied at Masada with full military honours on July 7, 1969.

No Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration would be complete without some type of party, and this was no exception. Last year, when I toured Israel prior to Heather’s wedding, I stayed at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Ein Bokek, a small resort town on the Dead Sea, quite close to Masada. Bill and Marjorie hosted a luncheon at the hotel, not quite as elaborate as the dinner they had in Los Angeles last May, to thank everyone for joining the Handel family for this very special celebration.