Before I begin my Bar Mitzvah Speech, let me thank you all for coming.

Today I want to talk about something Rabbi Eli said about me several times. He said that I have a lot of respect for others. I guess that on my Bar Mitzvah, that is a good thing to talk about.

I know that the word respect gets used a lot by teachers, parents, and basically every adult ever, but to me, showing respect to others is important. Respect is one of those things that we should all show others because it can change the way that people feel about us and about themselves.

To me, respect means more than just saying “yes sir” or “yes ma’am.” It means listening when someone is talking and not interrupting. It means not making fun of people, even as a joke, because sometimes jokes can hurt really bad.

I think Rabbi Hillel said it best: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary; go and learn it.”

At school, respect can mean paying attention in class, not talking over the teacher, and being kind to people you don’t usually hang out with.

At home, it can mean listening to your parents, doing what you’re supposed to, and showing appreciation even when you don’t feel like it.

Respect matters because it affects everything. It affects friendships, families, classrooms, and teams. When people feel respected, they feel like they belong. They feel safer, more confident, and more willing to speak up. But when respect is missing, that’s when problems start. People argue more, feelings get hurt, and small things can turn into big problems. Respect helps us get along better, and honestly. I am sure we all can agree that the world could use a lot more of that right now.

I also think respect shows real strength. It’s easy to be rude when you’re annoyed, angry, or when talking to our siblings. It’s much harder to stay calm, to think before we speak, and as the Rabbi taught me, to choose kindness. That is much harder.

So even though this Bar Mitzvah tells us that today I am an adult in the eyes of the Jewish People, I know I am still just a kid. However, I can still choose to remember what Rabbi Hillel taught and try to show respect to others.

I want to always try to use kind words and to show respect even when it’s not the easiest thing to do. If more of us did that, school would be better, friendships would be stronger, I would get along better with my sisters, and everyday life would just be a lot easier for everyone.

I want to thank Cantor Jon for all his patience and help, my family for always having my back through all this, Steve Rozenweig for letting me help him here in Beth Am Shalom, and Rabbi Eli for always keeping a smile on my face.

Thank you for listening and Shabbat Shalom