Mo’s Red, White & Blue Bar Mitzvah
In Kogon tradition, Mo’s bar mitzvah was inspirational and outrageously decorated.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
The only thing more talked about in mid-November than the election, was the bar mitzvah of Morris Israel Kogon on Nov. 16 at Ahavath Achim where Mo’s d’var Torah stole the show with spontaneous audience applause.
Mo credits this inspirational talk from counseling with his great uncle, Mark Cohen, past Ahavath Achim president, who worked with him on his cadence and delivery for several weeks prior to the event. (Note: Cohen offers to work with all Ahavath Achim b’nai mitzvot students on their d’var Torah delivery.)
An Epstein School student, Mo’s interests are baseball and basketball, watching sports (favorite teams are the Braves, Falcons and Hawks), learning about history and politics, and spending time with family and friends.
His mitzvah projects were especially impressive. First, he chose to work with Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) because of its impact. JF&CS has multiple programs, and Mo chose to work with the kosher food pantry because “it helps so many families to have food on the table.”
Mom, Sara said, “Mo’s bar mitzvah project with JF&CS had several components: our family spent an afternoon at the food pantry sorting food, organizing the shelves, and stocking. Then, the centerpieces for the kiddush luncheon on Saturday were composed of food that Mo shopped for.”
Mo created meal kits made of canned and boxed foods that the food pantry clients can use to make nourishing meals. After the bar mitzvah, the food was donated to the food pantry. Mo created a website to fundraise for the food pantry where it has $5,000 to date at https://give.jfcsatl.org/fundraiser/5686188.
In September, after the destruction in Western North Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene, the family was saddened by the damage done to Mo (and his siblings’) beloved Camp Judaea. Mo decided to add a second component: fundraising for Camp Judaea. Mo has raised more than $2,000 for this initiative.
Mo’s parsha was Vayera. He recalled the most meaningful concepts were, “Vayera contains one of the most powerful moments in the entire Torah; when Abraham says the word, ‘Hineni’: I am here. ‘Hineni’ isn’t just some casual ‘Yep, I’m here,’ like when a teacher takes attendance. It’s way deeper. ‘Hineni’ is more than just showing up. It’s about showing up when life challenges you, when things get tough, and saying ‘I’m ready to face this.’ ‘Hineni’ represents perseverance – maybe even survival. Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. We’ve persevered and thrived like Abraham said, ‘Hineni,’ to G-d, and just like the Jewish people have said ‘Hineni’ throughout history, I want to be able to say ‘Hineni’ to my communities. By helping others, we strengthen our bonds with the people we’re helping, with G-d, and each other. And honestly, what better way to live out the message of my Torah portion that showing up for those in need?”
Mo’s tallis was purchased in Israel by his maternal grandparents, Naomi and Jeffrey Stonberg. His yad was a gift from The Epstein School upon completing his in-school bar mitzvah service. Mo’s grandfather, Marty Kogon, his big sister, Marion, big brother, Gerald, his father, Ross, and mother, Sara, all read from the Torah at the AA bar mitzvah service.
The Kogons are known for their entertainment flair. Mo’s party was at Factory Atlanta with an America-theme of red, white and blue … chosen because Mo is a patriot and likes history.
Dad, Ross, Uncle Michael, and Mo’s big brother, Gerald, all wore American flag-themed suits and blue and white Adidas sneakers. Mo wore red, white and blue Nikes and outfits throughout the weekend.
Balloonacy supplied huge bunches of balloons. Monte Carlo Productions provided skiing, skee ball, golf, racing and boxing games. A temporary tattoo artist (Funorama) and a photo booth from Button it Up tripled the fun. A unique appearance from Uncle Sam on stilts from Liquid Sky surprised the crowd. The DJ was Jason Kagan with KP Productions. Raising the Bar, Hi Roller Sushi, Slutty Vegan, Southern Crust, and Three Tikis (dessert) catered the food for 275 guests. Party planner Tara Kornblum (Bluming Creativity) pulled it all together. Guests left with waterproof wireless “MoKo 2024” logo speakers.
Mo summed it up, “What I liked most about my bar mitzvah weekend was the party, but seeing all of my family and friends was really the best!”
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