In Jewish tradition, a child becomes a B’nai Mitzvah at age thirteen, stepping into Jewish adulthood with new responsibility and a deeper role in Jewish life. For Eli, that milestone came at Coors Field, where months of preparation and reflection led to a celebration that reflected who he is: outgoing, funny, and sports-loving. From playing tennis with his parents to time on the baseball diamond and basketball court, Eli has always been happiest in motion. Win or lose, he loves the thrill of competition and the lessons it brings, making his Be Mitzvah the perfect way to weave together his love of sports and his exploration of Judaism.
Preparing for the Day
Eli’s journey to becoming a Be Mitzvah took place through Judaism Your Way. Their program honors both tradition and personal meaning, allowing each young person to shape their own path, and Eli embraced that independence fully.
Instead of the traditional Bar Mitzvah project, Eli created nine Jewish wisdom projects, one for each inning of a baseball game. He learned to make brisket and other recipes, explored Jewish history through the stories of influential figures, and read The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. In addition, he hosted Shabbat for friends and family, assembled care packages for children in the community, and participated in the Maccabi Game, also known as the Jewish Olympics. Each project connected him to Judaism in a way that felt true to who he is.
Through these experiences, Eli discovered that food has a special power to bring people together, especially in Jewish life. He also deepened his understanding of compassion, justice, and community. These values shaped the reflections he later shared on his Be Mitzvah day.
The Be Mitzvah Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the Todd Helton Conference Room at Coors Field, with family and friends gathered to witness Eli step into Jewish adulthood.
Eli wore a tallit with deep family significance, passed down from his father and brother, Adam and Jacob, who had worn it at their own Bar Mitzvahs. His aunt, uncles, and cousin also played meaningful roles during the service.
The program included poems (Praying by Mary Oliver and To Stand in a Tallit by Rabbi Rami Shapiro), blessings (including the Shehechiyanu, Shema, and P’sukei D’Zimra), and words of reflection from Eli himself. His brother Jacob recited a heartfelt poem, honoring Eli with words about courage, grit, and the bond between brothers.
Eli also presented his Jewish wisdom projects, highlighting themes of justice, compassion, and repairing the world. He and his family honored loved ones who had passed by reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish, while grandparents on both sides of the family read Aleinu: Repairing the World by Rabbi Andrea Goldstein.
The service concluded with the songs Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu and Siman Tov u’Mazel Tov. Because the ceremony took place on a Saturday afternoon, Eli also led the Havdalah ritual to mark the end of Shabbat, with a kiddush cup from his mother’s Bat Mitzvah, a braided candle, and fragrant spices.
At the end, instead of hard candy, Eli chose to be showered with soft marshmallows, a sweet twist on a beloved tradition.
Celebration at Coors Field
After the ceremony, guests gathered on the mezzanine overlooking the field for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. With the Rockies’ scoreboard displaying congratulatory messages, photos, and animations, the celebration felt larger than life.
The party itself was a true production, and Interaction Denver brought incredible energy to the night. Emcee Kerry, flown in from LA, kept everyone engaged, while dancers Antonina and Dayna encouraged the teens and energized the dance floor. DJ Scotty O’Brien kept the music flowing, and together the team created a high-energy, welcoming atmosphere where no one had to be a dancer to join in. With show lighting, uplighting throughout, and music filling every part of the mezzanine, the party felt vibrant and concert-like. The team also designed Eli’s custom logo and slideshow, adding a personal touch that his family and friends loved.
Cocktail hour featured the perfect bites of fun finger food, including pretzel sticks with pimento cheese dip, and drinks. Guests also had a chance to explore the stadium with guided Coors Field tours. Meanwhile, the kids played games like trivia and interactive games with plenty of action. Dinner followed, with stadium ballpark favorites of hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries tying in the Coors Field game-day experience.
The DJ kicked off the dance party with a grand entrance, inviting kids to lock arms and form a huge tunnel for Eli and his parents to run through. From there, the night filled with music, traditional hora, and popular songs and dancing, blending the energy of Mitzvah celebration with the excitement of game day for a true home run!
Pre-Game and Post-Game Gatherings
Like a true baseball series, Eli’s Be Mitzvah extended beyond a single day. On Friday, family and friends gathered for a pre-game dinner at Linger, a unique restaurant in Denver with rooftop views of downtown. On Sunday, the celebration wrapped with a casual farewell brunch at his home. These gatherings added even more meaning and connection to the weekend.
From Sports to Spirit
Eli balances his competitive drive with an appreciation for the bigger picture. He loves to win, but also values the experience itself. This makes him both a great athlete and a great person at heart.
His family supported him in finding his own path through Judaism Your Way and then marked the milestone with a celebration to bring joy to everyone. The full-production dance floor made sure friends and family shared in the fun and carried home lasting memories.
The day reflected Eli’s heart, his love of sports, and the strong bonds of family that surround him.
Mazel tov, Eli! Wishing you sweetness, joy, and plenty of great games ahead.
