Join us for a dramatic reading of the play followed by Q&A with the playwright, Izzy Salant.  The reading includes a 15-minute intermission.

Rite of Passage

A father and son’s compelling journey through grief.

A new semi-autobiographical story by the young playwright Izzy Salant who brings his family's story to life with an amazing sensitivity grounded in love and faith.

A tragic secret haunts Harold while he is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. Why did his mother suddenly die and what are others not telling him? His father, David, finds himself in the throws of moral battle over whether or not to reveal the truth to his autistic son. Written with a mixture of love and humor, Rite of Passage is a story of a young man and his father coping with loss as they rebuild their family and hope for the future.

A special message from Izzy to B'nai Israel: Almost 15 years ago, I'm watching Home Alone 4, one of the worst films ever made, when my aunt, uncle, two first cousins, and finally my father all come into my room at around midnight.  My father sits next to me, takes a deep breath, and tells me something no one should ever have to hear, especially not at 10 years old.  "Mommy died today."  I'm in shock, I don't know what to say, I don't cry, I just sit on the bed with my family and finish watching the movie.  Three days later, I'm in this very synagogue, in the main sanctuary, giving an Eulogy.  I hop into a limo, head to a cemetery, and watch as a crowd piles dirt on a casket, where I recite the Mourner's Kaddish for the first time, and I finally cry.  I think I've told some variation of that story almost every month for the past 15 years; many people know that story, the story of how Jonathan lost his wife and Izzy lost his mother.  I wrote this semi-autobiographical play about the aftermath to tell our family's story, for catharsis, and because I believe it is a story that needs to be told.  Most people hear that and are touched by the story, but to them, that's all it is, a story.  Here, with all of you, it was real life.  So, it is with pride, honor, and a slight bit of nerves that I bring this story to the community that supported us through all of it, and share this story with you, because you were a part of it.

Click here for a copy of the play program booklet.

This event will be held in-person and on Zoom.

Register below. Zoom link included in confirmation email.