On a Monday morning in July, 1999, Brian David was called to the Torah to celebrate his bar mitzvah in Utterson, Ontario. On hand were Brian's parents, two sisters, brother, and family friends, as well as almost 600 of his closest friends—the campers and staff of Camp Ramah in Canada.

This is how Brian David's bar mitzvah might have been announced in the society pages of a local newspaper. But while giving the facts, this announcement would omit the really interesting details. It leaves out the resonance that Brian's recitation of the Vrakhot elicited for his family and an entire camp community. I would like to share some of those details and how this remarkable young man's bar mitzvah affected the lives of others.

Brian is 21 years old and has Downs Syndrome. He is unable to read and cannot write much more than his name. He has a mild hearing loss and a severe articulation disorder. As a result, Brian is able to speak only in short phrases which are not understandable to the uninitiated. He can be exasperatingly stubborn. But Brian has a smile so warm that it could melt even Pharaoh's heart. His selflessness and love of Judaism rival that of Hillel. When he hugs you, you just know that everything is going to be all right. Brian has a crush on all of the Spice Girls. He loves playing the guitar as much as taking his siddur to pray.

Tikvah Canada is one of four similar programs sponsored by the Ramah Camps providing children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a Jewish camping experience with their peers. While Tikvah campers enjoy the usual swimming, hiking, sports, arts and crafts, they also attend daily services, study Hebrew and learn Jewish customs. Perhaps most importantly, they are also fully accepted members of a kehilla (Community) of Jewish children, adolescents and adults, an acceptance which they may not enjoy at home.

Brian has been part of Tikvah since its inception eight years ago. Ramah is now in his blood. Each year, he begins packing at least a month before camp and watches his Ramah videos over and over in order to relive his experiences and to tide himself over until the next season.

Today, Brian’s family are committed supporters of both Tikvah and Ramah, but this was not always the case. It took a great deal of encouragement to convince them that Ramah would be the right place for their son. This is how Brian’s mother described her feelings:

At the beginning, I was skeptical about sending Brian to Ramah. His English was less than articulate, his Hebrew non-existent, and no one could care for him the way his doting family did. But after his very first season, camp became his other home and the focus of both his Jewish life and of his independence from parents and siblings.

You can’t imagine how we, his family, feel on visiting day when Brian schleps us around to meet his other family and, even more so, when kids come up to meet us just because we are Brian’s family.

When Brian turned 13, our rabbi had advised us that since he did not understand the concept of prayer, he did not need a bar mitzvah. I had not wanted my son to be the recipient of sympathetic stares at a "special" service in a synagogue, so the only people who celebrated at that time were his family. But now that he had a community of his own, with a congregation that welcomes him just as he is, we decided to have a bar mitzvah where Brian is both loved and respected.

The Davids first approached me about having Brian’s bar mitzvah at camp some time during the winter. Both Rabbi Cohen, the camp director, and I thought it a wonderful idea. We were grateful that they had chosen to honor us with this privilege. Since, over the years, most of the camp had been touched by Brian, the family invited everyone to the celebration. Brian spent the winter practicing the b’rakhot with his father, Lee.

Once at camp, Brian’s practice sessions continued with his counselor. Just like any other bar mitzvah student, Brian’s motivation varied from day to day. But he was always encouraged by his fellow campers who got into the act by making invitations. As the day got closer, we worked out all of the details for the first camp-wide bar mitzvah. A special kiddush was prepared, honors assigned, musicians scheduled, and a special dance with a deejay and Spice Girls music arranged.

Despite being visibly nervous on the day before, Brian awoke early on Monday morning, roused his fellow campers and staff and hurried to the social hall to put on his t’fillin and receive his new tallit from his parents. Brian and his Tikvah friends all wore matching shirts provided by his family. The entire camp filed into the gym and the service began.

Brian had several roles. First, with the assistance of one of his counselors, he sang and "signed" Oseh Shalom. Then he carefully and lovingly lifted the Torah out of the ark, and with a sister on either side, carried it around the room. Finally, with much fanfare, Brian was called to the Torah for his aliyah. Together with his father, he recited the Hebrew blessings both before and after the reading.

The other Tikvah campers helped their friend throughout the service, loudly joining in singing the prayers. Solomon conducted the Torah service with a beautiful sweet voice and surprised us all with a choral selection he had learned at his home synagogue. Carrie, who also has Downs Syndrome, did the entire Torah reading. Debbie helped conclude the service with a orchestral version of Adon Olam. Everyone joined in the davening, dancing and singing, during and after the service.

Brian’s joy in his accomplishments was as great as, or greater, than that of any bar/bat mitzvah child called up for his or her first alliyah. But the effect this event had on those in the room was extraordinary.

I can’t tell you the pride, joy and gratitude we all felt. Brian was so thrilled that he almost burst. In between some serious davening, he blew kisses to his fans, raised his t’fillin-wrapped arm in a two-fingered salute, shook hands, and accepted congratulations somewhere between an accomplished bar mitzvah boy and a Hollywood celebrity! The whole camp cheered in one voice when he succeeded in articulating his solos.

I never thought I would say this, but my son is happier in some place other than home. It is quite miraculous when "potential" becomes a word in the present tense. For a few hours, we really felt the meaning of true inclusiveness. When we left Ramah, we knew it was possible for Brian to be not just a man, but a mensch, in his own community.

Now, Brian keeps his camp siddur either under his pillow or on his night table. He carefully takes it out, puts on his t’fillin and wraps himself in his tallit with a rapturous look on his face.

The staff and other campers were touched in ways we could not have anticipated. Hundreds of people spontaneously wished Brian mazel tov and dozens of campers and staff presented him with home-made congratulatory cards. More people than I can remember came up to tell me of the tears of joy that had flowed down their cheeks during the service.

Another parent wrote of her children’s response to Brian’s bar mitzvah:

I have to tell you that Brian David’s bar mitzvah had an amazing impact on my children. They did not write very often from camp, but the letters after the bar mitzvah were very touching and it was the very first thing they talked about on the way home. As my son studies for his own bar mitzvah, he realizes how much is involved and how special it was for Brian.

Brian’s bar mitzvah is over and camp has closed on its second season since that wonderful day. Brian, like his fellow campers, still recalls the events of that special summer. The power of Brian’s song remains strong and continues to affect others who hear of it or read of it on the Internet or in local papers. It is not often that the actions of one person can so positively influence so many people.

What most stood out for my son was the comment Brian’s mom made about his not having had a bar mitzvah at 13 because their rabbi felt he couldn’t do anything to warrant becoming a bar mitzvah. My son found this quite unbelievable. He thinks everyone should have the opportunity to have a bar/bat mitzvah regardless of any disability. It is the best lesson for our kids to learn about diversity and tolerance for everyone, especially for kids and young adults who might not be as fortunate as they.

There are currently four Tikvah programs, each serving the needs of children with developmental disabilities. They are in the Ramah Camps in Canada, California, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Information can be accessed through the Ramah website at www.campramah.org or by calling the National Ramah Office at 212-678-8881.

Mitchell S. Parker, Ph.D. is director of the Tikvah Program, Camp Ramah in Canada, and Director of Special Needs, Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit.