iPad gives boy a voice at his bar mitzvah

[onehandle]

ANDOVER - The 12-year-old boy sat in the synagogue, looked out at the congregation, and waved. On a day when Jewish tradition marks the transition from boy to man, Matthew Emmi smiled often and moved his hands to the music of the Hebrew songs. During prayers, he alternately slouched and sat erect.

And when it was time for him to say a prayer before the Torah, he touched the screen of an iPad.

Matthew is severely autistic and cannot read, write, or speak sentences. His family, friends, and educators never know exactly what he is thinking, but they know Matthew likes going to synagogue. He has been a regular at the Sunday service at Andover’s Temple Emanuel, where he hums, claps and smiles when Cantor Idan Irelander plays traditional Hebrew prayers on his guitar.

Several months ago, Suzanne and Michael Emmi decided their son’s autism would not prevent him from having a bar mitzvah. “Because of the issues in his life, he’s not going to have a wedding or a high school or college graduation,’’ his mother said. “We wanted him to have that opportunity to have a special moment and shine.’’

http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-04/metro/31119794_1_bar-mitzvah-ipad-prayers

[frazzled]

1. Aw, that's so sweet

The line about how he'd never have a wedding or graduation really got to me. That must've been a very touching experience for all who attended. And such a shayna punim. Mazel Tov to Matthew and his family.

[unblock]

2. and then god smote him for using electricity on shabbat

just a little joke!

in all seriousness, this is a great story!

[dipsydoodle]

3. I wish him well for his future

and hopefully in time his ability to read, write, and speak sentences will improve. A few of my nephews were born partilally autistic and they did in fact greatly improve those abilities as they grew into their teens.