Moving Moments at the Kotel
Rejoicing with Sixty Bar and Bat Mitzvah Children
Sixty children, all from families in Israel whose lives have been shattered by terror attacks, recently celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs – their Jewish coming of age — on a very special and highly moving day.
On the last day of school vacation in Israel, the Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP), hosted these sixty youngsters for a very emotional and touching Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel, the Western Wall.
All the children’s families have suffered terribly from violent terror attacks that took place in various areas of Israel. Among these children are some who have become orphans, some who are mourning the loss of siblings or friends, some who themselves have been injured. All of them are dealing with trauma and pain in the aftermath of violence.
All sixty children have reached the Jewish milestone of Bar and Bat Mitzvah within the last year. For most of them, the idea of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration was only a dream.
When they arrived at the Western Wall Plaza, the boys were accompanied to the men’s side of the Kotel by a group of dedicated CTVP volunteers and staff. The girls made their way to the women’s side with a group of devoted female volunteers and staff. The excitement and joy of both groups could be felt by virtually everyone who was privileged to be at this holy site on this special day.
Rabbi Menachem Kutner and the staff of men volunteers helped the Bar Mitzvah boys put on their tefillin. They then said the “Shema" with them together with various parts of the prayers. Culminating the event was the removal of the Torah scroll from the ark which was joyously carried by the Bar Mitzvah boys to the Bima. One by one, each of the boys was then called up to the Torah in honor of his Bar Mitzvah.
The girls received special prayers, which were then accompanied by joyous singing together with their instructors and volunteers.
In a moving and emotional moment, Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov of the Chabad Terror Victims Project then blew the Shofar, the haunting sound touching the souls of the children and their families. He then wished the children warm and heartfelt blessings on their special day of rejoicing.
At the end of this beautiful event, the children and their families warmly expressed their deep gratitude for this day that would live in their hearts and in their minds forever. Their gratitude overflowed to Chabad Terror Victims Project for making this very special and moving celebration possible for them.