Bar Mitzvah across generations
Bar Mitzvah is a traditional ritual of becoming grown up, it’s a day of joy but also a day of taking upon oneself responsibilities of religious adulthood. Boys usually celebrate it on their 13th birthday, girls celebrate Bat Mitzvah when they turn 12.
Olim, newcomers, were never allowed to celebrate this powerful day, the Soviet regime was aimed at wiping out everything that could deal with spiritual consciousness. So now, when they come to the Holy Land as Jews, when they make aliyah, they build their own spiritual connection to the Land and to their Jewishness.
On the 19th of December , 2019, some 70 Jewish newcomers, participants of the First Home in the Homeland, deserved to celebrate Bar and Bat Mitzvah, even if they are already way older than 12 and 13. Where was it? Of course, at the Western Wall (Kotel) in the ancient city of Jerusalem!
Next time in Jerusalem in 2020?
Bar Mitzvah is usually a family event, we were lucky to have such a great part of our big family with us. One hundred and thirty-five Dutch friends of us from Christians for Israel in the Netherlands and the Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands Binyomin Jacobs!
It was a sunny and joyful day full of music, prayers and fellowship. We were allowed to explore the Western Wall Tunnels and dance by the walls of the Old City. Just by coincidence (well…) the Rabbi who conducted the Bar Mitzvah ritual, Rav Pinhas, also a Russian speaking Jew, shared with us, that on that day it was exactly 25 years since his own aliyah! He also came to Israel with the help of the First Home in the Homeland program!
Rav Pinhas, conducting the Bar Mitzvah ritual at the Kotel | Photo credit: Christians for Israel
Already for 7 years Christians for Israel supports our program and provides an opportunity to a growing number of Jewish families to join us in the Land of Israel. We don’t take it for granted and are grateful for all your material and spiritual support. Next time in Jerusalem in 2020?
Next time in Jerusalem in 2020? | Photo edit: Christians for Israel
Please support the “First Home in the Homeland” Project. Any amount is welcome!
Assisting a family in the “First Home” program costs € 230 euro / US $ 250 a month.
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