"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."
~ Jewish Proverb .

Aaron's first dance was reserved exclusively for his mother.  And, it was touchingly sweet.

"Mom" is Celia, who stayed up to rock Aaron back to sleep as a baby, changed his diapers, held his hand when he took his first steps and when he started school, got on the floor to play with his trucks, cooked his meals and did his laundry, disciplined with firmness, out of love and understanding, held him in her loving arms when he hurt, and did all the little things that have helped him and his brother grow up to be the fine young men they are today. 

Aaron dancing with the First Lady in his life.

Then everyone else got on the floor and danced up a storm:

Hava Nagila! "Come, Let Us Be Joyful!"

The DJ played the Jewish folk song, Hava Nagila.  And yes, that's what it means: "Come, let us be joyful."  Over 90 years ago, the words of this then sad tune were written by a boy about Aaron's age named Moshe Nathanson in celebration of the return of the Jews to their historic homeland.  With his words, he turned it into a happy song.

Just as the words intone, everyone at Aaron's party became part of a joyful group of celebrants, dancing in a circle, clapping, singing and humming along with the song's familiar tune.

"Hava Nagila, Hava Nagila, Hava Nagila, V'nis m'cha,
Hava Nagila, Hava Nagila, Hava Nagila, V'nis m'cha.
Hava n'ra-na-na, Hava n'ra-na-na,  Hava n'ra-na-na,  V'nis-m'cha.
U-ru a-chim,  B'lev-sa-me ach, U-ru a-chim B'lev-sa-ma ack, 
U-ru a-chim, U-ru a-chim, B'lev-sa-me ach."

>> Click here and scroll down the page to the song in real audio.
>> Click here for the interesting history of this song.
>> Click here for sheet music and midi audio file.

The celebrants danced in circles with great joy and exuberance.

You might ask, why is Hava Nagila danced in a circle? In Orthodox thought, men and women are not allowed to dance together, so circle dances allow the men to dance in a separate circle from the women.  As one can see, this group is not composed of Orthodox Jews. 

Then, the line dancing began!  The fervor was quite palpable.

"And you shake it all about..."

"Line dancing ... the grown-up version of the Hokey Pokey."  
(Really, Is THAT what it's all about?)

"Oy vey, we are a bit of a mosh pit.
 Not to worry.  We're keeping our day jobs."

Unlike most lavish events -- weddings, for example, the dancing at Aaron's bar mitzvah party came before the eating.  Good thinking!  The guests worked up an appetite, then heartily ate their fill. 

Ever wonder why at parties that end with dancing, the seniors head for the door almost as soon as the music starts?  Drowsy and sleepy after a big meal, they can't wait to go home and go to bed!

Not so at Aaron's party.  Before his guests could fall victim to full bellies, they were up and shaking their booties. The dancing proved to be the best ice-breaker ever, lifting everyone's spirits, creating a lively, party atmosphere.