When my daughter was bat mitzvah many years ago it was the custom to give gifts to all the guests. Because of her haftorah subject, we gave each guest a small tree to be planted in their yards/ gardens. They were great success and I always felt they were a better gift than a tee shirt or hat.
Beautiful Andrew! And Marlene, I share my brother's enthusiasm about your wonderful bat mitzvah gifts. We've long gifted willow saplings to the couples who've married on the ranch we run. These saplings are the descendants of a decadent "mother" weeping willow in the yard. Also Professor Berns, I love your ending rhizomal metaphor with regard to Abrahamic religions. Such a pleasure to read your thoughts. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Thanks for your comment, Sarah! I didn't know -- or had forgotten-- about your custom of gifting willow saplings to couples who marry on your ranch. Such a beautiful offering. Appreciate you commenting, sis 🤗
Andrew, Thanks for reminding us that faiths often share more that just histiory & simaliar traditions as we can see about your two stories about saplings. As you are probaly aware Anne Frank wrote 3 times in her diary about the chestnut tree she could see from here window & the tree had deep meaning to her. In 2010 the tree fell during a storm. However seeds were salvalged to grow original sappling at special sites around the world. Our Own Anne Frank Center in Columbia is one of the sites. Way cool !!! Tell Mara we are proud of her co-founding (M)otherboard & providing supplies for the children. Have a wonderrful day friend.
Ronny thanks so much for your comment! I did not know about Anne's beloved Chestnut tree, nor did I know that we have a sapling in Columbia at the Anne Frank Center. Way cool indeed! I can't wait to learn more. One of the most rewarding aspects of writing this Substack is hearing from readers and friends, many of whom share such special insights-- including of course you and Mary. Deeply appreciative, Andrew
When my daughter was bat mitzvah many years ago it was the custom to give gifts to all the guests. Because of her haftorah subject, we gave each guest a small tree to be planted in their yards/ gardens. They were great success and I always felt they were a better gift than a tee shirt or hat.
Marlene I absolutely love this! What a fantastic idea. 🌿
Beautiful Andrew! And Marlene, I share my brother's enthusiasm about your wonderful bat mitzvah gifts. We've long gifted willow saplings to the couples who've married on the ranch we run. These saplings are the descendants of a decadent "mother" weeping willow in the yard. Also Professor Berns, I love your ending rhizomal metaphor with regard to Abrahamic religions. Such a pleasure to read your thoughts. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
Thanks for your comment, Sarah! I didn't know -- or had forgotten-- about your custom of gifting willow saplings to couples who marry on your ranch. Such a beautiful offering. Appreciate you commenting, sis 🤗
Andrew, Thanks for reminding us that faiths often share more that just histiory & simaliar traditions as we can see about your two stories about saplings. As you are probaly aware Anne Frank wrote 3 times in her diary about the chestnut tree she could see from here window & the tree had deep meaning to her. In 2010 the tree fell during a storm. However seeds were salvalged to grow original sappling at special sites around the world. Our Own Anne Frank Center in Columbia is one of the sites. Way cool !!! Tell Mara we are proud of her co-founding (M)otherboard & providing supplies for the children. Have a wonderrful day friend.
Ronny thanks so much for your comment! I did not know about Anne's beloved Chestnut tree, nor did I know that we have a sapling in Columbia at the Anne Frank Center. Way cool indeed! I can't wait to learn more. One of the most rewarding aspects of writing this Substack is hearing from readers and friends, many of whom share such special insights-- including of course you and Mary. Deeply appreciative, Andrew