Words of Advice -- My Letter-Writing Project

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For my Bat Mitzvah, my family and I were part of an unusual letter writing project. I wrote letters to many famous--and not so famous--Jewish people, asking for advice as I become a Bat Mitzvah. 

Many people responded, and I learned a lot. I enjoyed getting the letters a lot. They made me realize how I am connected to many Jewish people, because at one time, they were thirteen, and had their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, just like me. We posted the letters at my Bat Mitzvah party.

-- Lia

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September 7, 1999

Senator Joseph Lieberman
Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Lieberman,

As I approach my 13th birthday, I think about my upcoming Bat Mitzvah.

I am learning that a Bat Mitzvah is not just about a party or getting presents. It's about becoming an "adult" in the Jewish community. And that's about commitment and responsibility.

As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, a Bat Mitzvah has even more meaning for me. It reminds me that Hitler did not prevail, that good triumphed over evil. And even through the darkest times, the spirit of Judaism could not be extinguished.

I am writing to you (and others) to ask for words of advice as I approach this milestone in my life. I will treasure any comments you can offer me, and will share them with the people who attend my Bat Mitzvah.

Thank you in advance for responding to my request.

L'shana tovah,

Lia Lehrer

 

This is an example of the letters I sent. 

Click on the links below to see how they responded.

Media, Entertainment, Sports People

Buddy Hackett (Comedian)
Ted Koppel (ABC Anchorman)
Rob Feder (Chicago Sun-Times Columnist)
Jerry Reinsdorf (Chicago Bulls)
Regine Schlessinger (WBBM Radio)
Judy Sheindlin (TV's "Judge Judy")
Steven Spielberg (Film Director)
Jeff Zaslow (Sun-Times Columnist)

Political Leaders

Joseph Lieberman (U.S. Senator)
Arlen Specter (U.S. Senator)
Ira Silverstein (Illinois State Senator)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (U.S. Supreme Court)
Jan Shakowsky (U.S. Congressman)

Leaders Who Are Close to Us

Sid Blum (My Parents' Accountant)
Dr. Gerald Soff (Cancer Researcher)
Dr. Irwin Benuck (My Pediatrician)
Dr. Thomas Resnick (My Dentist)
Rabbi Stuart Altshuler (My Rabbi)
Dr. Roger Stein (High School Principal)
Robert Tecktiel (Schechter Middle School Princ.)
Dr. Melvin Gerbie (Mom's Obstetrician)

Jewish Leaders

Elie Weisel (Nobel Peace Prize Winner)
Rabbi William Lebeau (Jewish Theo. Seminary)

Business and Education Leaders

Jerry Greenfield (Ben and Jerry's)
Henry Beinen (President of Northwestern)
Hugo Sonnenschein (President of U. of Chicago)