Q: What's scarier than talking in front of a room full of Corporate execs?

A:  Talking in front of a room full of 12 and 13 year old boys.

Instead of going our separate ways this morning, the family and I went to Gilad's school.  Not only was it Rosh Hodesh Elul and the first day of school, but is was also the day that Gilad started putting on Tefillin at morning services. 

Every family has their own tradition regarding when to begin this (usually anywhere from a week to a month before the Bar Mitzvah). Even though Gilad's Bar Mitzvah isn't for almost two months, we decided that this would be an auspicious day to begin. 

We all davened (prayed) with his class and then we made a small party for him in the classroom.  And yes, I had to speak.  As I spoke, I was standing between the boys and a table full of pastry, chocolate milk and soda.  The experience was not unlike trying to discuss philosophy with our beloved dogs while someone drops big globs of chopped liver on the floor nearby.  At least they didn't notice my bad grammar.

Needless to say we're all very proud... but whatever they are paying those teachers isn't nearly enough.  I felt sort of bad getting the boys all sugared up and then leaving them to devour the teacher alive.  But hey, that's why he gets the summers off.  :-)