Valley triplets traverse Jewish milestone with b'not mitzvah

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSGTOWN

Triplets Zoe, Savannah and Karsyn Berk share a special sisterly bond.

Today, that sibling tie is further solidified as they become b’not mitzvah. That’s the plural of bat mitzvah, the milestone marking the transition from child to adult in Judaism.

This occasion means that the girls have studied extensively and are prepared to accept adult responsibilities of their Jewish faith.

“It’s coming of age,” said Rabbi Franklin Muller of congregation Rodef Sholom, 1119 Elm St., where the triplets will conduct a Shabbat service. The rabbi said having triplets become b’not mitzvah is rare and a first for the temple.

“They’re now responsible for obeying the commandments and ethical behavior,” he said. “They are responsible for making choices about keeping the Sabbath and keeping kosher.”

For the last 18 months, tutor Pamela Dutro of Temple Beth Israel in Sharon, Pa., has traveled to the home of Brigitt and Rob Berk of Howland. She has spent about 21⁄2 hours each Thursday instructing the triplets.

The triplets will lead a Shabbat service and give speeches on what becoming a bat mitzvah means to each singly and jointly. The girls also have worked with the rabbi on the details of conducting the service, a mixture of English and Hebrew.

“We have to read from the Torah. We had to learn the Hebrew letters,” Savannah said. She added she and her sisters also have come to understand the “meaning and significance” of the Shabbat service. Karsyn added they also will read from the Haftarah, writings of the prophets. The Torah is the first five books of the Jewish Bible. Zoe said, “While it’s been hard work, it’s worth it.” She said she and her sisters have a better understanding of what it means to be Jewish.

Their mother said she has seen a transformation in her daughters, who will mark their 13th birthdays June 9. “They put so much time, energy and effort into this,” she said, adding that they have matured and gained poise and confidence. “It’s a significant step in their lives,” Brigitt Berk said.

Their father said he couldn’t remember such study for his bar mitzvah. “It’s great how they’re doing this together,” he said. “They have great spiritual energy. The faith in their hearts is apparent.”

The religious study added to a busy schedule for the sixth-graders at Howland Middle School. All three take dance classes; Karsyn and Savannah play basketball; Zoe swims, and Savannah takes piano lessons.

Becoming a bat mitzvah is optional, but the girls decided to follow the example of their older sister, Reilly, 141⁄2, who became bat mitzvah last year. Now brother, Jaden, 101⁄2, will look forward to his bar mitzvah.

In their individual and joint speeches, the girls highlight what bat mitzvah means to them.

Zoe wrote, in part, that study has “taught me that everything worthwhile in life doesn’t come easily” and the bat mitzvah is just the beginning of her Jewish education.

Savannah wrote about a better understanding of “what it means to make a commitment and to be committed to things I am passionate about.”

Karsyn wrote how she has “learned to think of others in my life and in this world and how I can make a difference.”

The triplets mentioned how the study has motivated them to live their lives “in a Jewish way” and draw strength from their faith. Their joint speech notes acceptance of new responsibilities and heartfelt thanks to family and friends for encouragement. The fact that their grandfather, Marc Rubin, is temple president adds to the significance. A symbolic intergenerational “passing of the Torah” depicts how the next generation carries on the faith.