Girls Celebrate Own Bas Mitzvah

By Shluchim Office

After a busy weekend of meeting classmates and participating in the uplifting Kinus Hashluchos, the 6th grade classes of the Nigri International Shluchim Online School were treated to a one-of-a kind event exclusively for their class; the Grand Bas Mitzvah Brunch.

On Monday morning, the American and the European 6th grade classes were treated to a Bas Mitzvah celebration to celebrate each of them. Living around the world, many of them without their friends at their parties to share in their Simchas, now was the chance to be together and celebrate with each other.

Each girl shared beautiful and insightful Dvar Torahs on the topic of ‘Jewish women’, and spoke about who they were named for sharing anecdotes and personal stories. One student inspired her class with a story of how her grandmother, Esther, tragically passed away doing a special mission of feeding the poor and what she gained from her legacy.

Another classmate told a story of the Rebbetzin and the Rebbe, and then connected the two stories, bringing forth the lesson of warmth, Ahavas Yisroel, and care.

The Grand Bas Mitzvah then continued with cake decorating by Devorah Freundlich, one of the of the Online School Alumni. For two years in a row, Devorah from in Beijing China, sold cakes to raise money to pay for her friends’ international flight tickets, so they would be able to be a part of the Day of Celebration and Kinus.

Devorah patiently taught and walked the girls through intricate and detailed cake decorating while allowing them to use her professional supplies that she used to make her award winning cakes in China. The girls enjoyed creating such uniquely decorated Bas Mitzvah cakes and took them home with them to enjoy with their family.

The event ended off with a strawberry shortcake dessert. “Happy Bas Mitzvah Cheli and everyone else” the cake stated. Following the Bas Mitzvah, Cheli and a friend flew to Arizona to celebrate Cheli’s Bas Mitzvah.

The girls enthusiastically sang ‘happy Bas Mitzvah’ to one and all and felt the Achdus and inspiration of celebrating this milestone with each other.

“This Grand Bas Mitzvah demonstrated how close friends can become even when they are so far,” Mushkie Lipsker, the extracurricular coordinator said, “The girls got what they deserved – a most beautiful and memorable Bas Mitzvah party complete with their friends from around the world.”

Thanks was given to the Shluchim Online School staff, Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov, Online School principal Mrs. Gitty Rosenfeld, Toby Herman, Mushkie Lipsker, Devorah Freundlich and Etty Junik for all their help.