A Celebration During a War

Everything was beautifully arranged to the smallest details. We greatly appreciate.

Eyal and Miriam and Bar Mitzvah boy Ariel David B.

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We wanted to say a huge thank you

For a special day,

It was perfect in every way

Exciting, fun, happy, and you pampered us in every way.

C. from Ashkelon

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Hello, We wanted to thank you for a special day

Our son came back thrilled, thank G-d!!! Thank you for everything.

You should be blessed.

M. from Ashkelon

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Menachem, I don't know how to thank you for such an exciting and invested event.

It was just wonderful

We enjoyed every moment

We returned home tired but very satisfied.

We couldn't have asked for anything better,

May God bless you for such a great initiative

Really, really thanks for everything

Menachem, I don't know how to thank you for such an exciting and event and for all your efforts

It was just wonderful

We enjoyed every moment

We returned home tired but very satisfied.

We couldn't have asked for anything better...

May God bless you for such a great initiative

Really, really thanks for everything

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Many, many thanks for everything!

For the celebration and the joy that vanished from my heart for over a month now.

For the privilege to celebrate in the best of all places

For the amazing dinner

For what you’ve done despite everything that is happening right now

Am Yisroel Chai

(These are just some of the notes of thanks we received from families who lived near the Gaza border and are now living in shelters, hotels, and other places of refuge throughout Israel.)
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They have families, they have children, and some have sons who just turned 13 and were supposed to celebrate their Bar Mitzvah now.

Like all Jewish boys their age, they prepared, they studied, and they looked forward to this special day with anticipation and, most probably, with a little apprehension as well.

Despite their hard work and preparation, their special day was spent in a safety zone away from home, away from friends and family and all who were supposed to help them celebrate their Bar Mitzvah.

As this dreadful war drags on, we realize there are so many people who are missing important and consequential events in their lives.

This is especially true for children. We all have only a certain amount of years in our childhood, never to be repeated again. None of these children deserve to lose their childhood and the most significant events that will remain with them for the rest of their lives…

…and we were not going to allow an event of great consequence like a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah to be stolen from these children by Hamas terrorists.

When we contacted the families, the parents and Bar Mitzvah boys were in disbelief that we could pull off something like this during a war. When we convinced them we would make it happen, the joy and relief were overwhelming.

But it wasn’t easy.

All the musicians and photographers we usually work with were in the army doing their part to protect Israel. When we were able to contact them and they heard the reason for this Bar Mitzvah, they all went into high gear and found all the photographers and musicians we needed.

It still wasn’t easy getting a hall, waiters, and caterers, but we managed it all.

But what was most amazing, many of their neighbors, who are now scattered throughout Israel, somehow made it to the celebration in Jerusalem.

Each of the ten Bar Mitzvah boys was escorted to the Kotel with music and covered with a canopy, where they were called up to the Torah.

Following the ceremony at the Kotel, the celebration continued for many hours at a catered party in Jerusalem. The dancing and the joy mingled easily with the tears and the sobs. But the feeling of pride and determination overcame all as friends and neighbors hugged and danced together, eyes tearing and feet leaping to the music.

The thanks we received from all who attended, especially the displaced friends of the Bar Mitzvah family, overwhelmed us - it gave them strength, they said, it gave them hope.

While the Hamas terrorists sacrifice their children and use their children as human shields ...

We sacrifice FOR our children and make sure they have everything they need, even during a treacherous war

We pass on to them our over 3,000-year-old legacy that they will pass on to their children and grandchildren.

A legacy that we hope will make wars something that can only be read in history books, and never experienced.

We pray this happens soon.

This was only our first Bar Mitzvah for the displaced families. We are already in the planning stages for the next.

Please help us make as many Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as needed.

And very soon, may all the Jewish boys and girls celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in their homes in safety and with true peace.

For a short video of the celebration click here and for an Israel TV story click here.