Note: Kadima, which means "forward" in Hebrew, is the name of a Jewish youth organization. The quarterly Kol Kadima (meaning Voice of Kadima) is published by the Department of Youth Activities of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The following article is the cover story of the Winter 1995 issue.
Nearly 1,000 people crowded into the sanctuary at Syracuse, New York's Temple Adath Yeshurun on June 10, 1994 for Eyal Sherman's Bar Mitzvah. What was remarkable about this Bar Mitzvah is that Eyal has been a quadriplegic and ventilator dependent since the age of four. He cannot breathe on his own, walk, talk or eat. And yet, this remarkable young man learned to read Hebrew, mouth the words of his Haftorah, and presently attends the community Hebrew high school. Eyal attends Shabbat services every Saturday morning, and is an active member of his Kadima chapter. He recently participated in the Tzafon region Kadima Day held in Syracuse.
Eyal's Bar Mitzvah was made technically possible by using video cameras to project his picture on a large screen. Congregants watched the screen which showed both the text and Eyal's face, and thus were able to follow along while he moved his lips. In the same way that most kids use microphones as a way to amplify their voices in large synagogues, the video cameras 'amplified' Eyal's means of communication - his facial expressions and lip movements. This system worked so well that people responded to Eyal just as they would have at any other Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The utter silence with which Eyal mouthed his prayers was followed by the thunderous responding chant from the congregation.
Eyal's achievements reflect the courage and devotion of his family, friends, teachers, doctors, and the many others who believe he should be given all the love, support and opportunities possible. Because of this support, Eyal excels in his studies at a regular public school, plays third base on a baseball team for the disabled, and has been recognized as a 'Mitzvah Hero' by USY and Kadima's Danny Siegel. His father, Rabbi Charles Sherman (he is the Rabbi of Temple Adath Yeshurun) described the bar mitzvah as an opportunity for the community to look through a window "to see something special, not something freakish."
The word "special" only begins to describe Eyal, who
like most Kadimaniks gave a speech during his bar mitzvah. But,
rather than reading a speech written by his father, he decided
to write his own D'var Torah:
Shabbat Shalom! Some people never thought I would
have a Bar Mitzvah because I'm in a wheelchair and on a respirator.
But this day proves them wrong! You might think this day is like
a miracle, when something happens that you don't expect. Here
I am today on the bimah (pulpit), an honor and a pleasure to be
where my father stands every week. I prepared for my Bar Mitzvah
at home for along time starting when / was very young. I've learned
to say the kiddush, blessing over the wine, and Birkat Hamazon,
grace after meals. My family builds a Succah every year and we
put on our ski jackets and eat in it. I learned the prayers by
coming to services every Shabbat with my family. It was harder
for me to prepare than other kids. The Cantor had to learn to
read my lips.
Having my Bar Mitzvah means / am a man and now my father can
call me on the phone to help make up the minyan when they
are short. The happiest part of this day is having my relatives
and friends from all over America and Israel here with me.
Even though my Bar Mitzvah is different, or awesome or radical,
being high tech, I never really thought about that.
I just always knew that when / reached age 13,
I'd be up here on the bimah and have a Bar Mitzvah just like any
other kid.
Eyal's story has received plenty of media coverage, from local
newspapers, Jewish publications, and even CNN! And yet beyond
all of this attention there is a much more basic lesson to be
learned. Eyal tells all of us that the word impossible is just
that impossible. Anything is possible, anything is within hand's
reach.