Ezra Rosen and his mother, Eve Rosen, greet well-wishers. (Photo/Norm Levin) Jewish Life Community Lifecycles PHOTOS: Drive-by car parade celebrates a socially distant bar mitzvah Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By David A.M. Wilensky, Norm Levin | April 22, 2020 Though they can’t hold in-person ceremonies, some families with planned b’nai mitzvahs are going ahead with virtual ceremonies held over Zoom. But friends of Ezra Rosen took it one step further: A family friend arranged for a surprise parade of cars of friends and family to come by the Rosen home afterward to celebrate and wish him well. “I feared it would be disappointing for Ezra,” said his mother, Eve Rosen. “I felt a little insecure that it was so untraditional, yet also excited that we were forging new territory.” About 15 cars came by the Rosen home in San Rafael, each with a whole family inside. Most were family friends and Ezra’s classmates from Brandeis Marin. In the end, Ezra was delighted. “The biggest thing was how Ezra felt,” Eve said. “He was on top of the world about the parade. It was huge, it was a really beautiful thing that our friends did.” Photographer Norm Levin was on hand to capture the day, and shared some of his photos with J. A carload of well-wishers. (Photo/Norm Levin) About 15 carloads of people rolled in to wish Ezra Rosen “mazel tov” on his bar mitzvah. (Photo/Norm Levin) Ezra with his mother Eve, grandmother Ruth Rosen, and step grandfather David Galin. (Photo/Norm Levin) It was a multispecies affair. (Photo/Norm Levin) Many cars brought signs with messages of congratulations. (Photo/Norm Levin) Ezra’s official fan club rolls through. (Photo/Norm Levin) Ezra with his mother, Eve, and grandmother, Ruth. (Photo/Norm Levin) David A.M. Wilensky David A.M. Wilensky is interim associate editor of J. He previously served as assistant editor and digital editor, and is a member of the board of the American Jewish Press Association. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow @davidamwilensky Norm Levin Norm Levin is a photographer in the Bay Area. See more of his work at naturalportraitsandevents.com or contact him at [email protected]. Also On J. Lifecycles Lifecycles announcements for the week of Feb. 3, 2023 Unions Their same-sex rabbinical wedding was a historic first Sports Desperate for quarterbacks, 49ers sign ‘Chosen Rosen’ as backup Milestones Sanford Rosen, founding rabbi of Peninsula Temple Beth El, dies Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up