By COLlive reporter
120 orphans, including 4 boys from the “Children’s home” in Zhytomyr who fled war-torn Ukraine celebrated a Bar Mitzvah on Monday in a celebration dedicated to marking the 120th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
An eye was not left dry in the crowd, as the four boys, along with 116 other orphaned boys from all over the country, celebrated their Bar Mitzvah at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem with thousands of family members and guests.
It was organized by Colel Chabad, the oldest operating charity in the Holy Land, to time with the 11th of Nissan, the birthday of the Rebbe
The festive day began at the Kotel when the excited boys arrived with their families and received a new pair of Tefillin – a gift from Chesed Menachem Mendel, the educational division of the Colel Chabad. After the Shachris prayer and dancing, they continued to the convention center.
Upon arrival, a special ceremony welcomed was held. A select group of bochurim from Chabad Yeshivas welcomed the Bar Mitzvah boys with a warm welcome and special chassidic atmosphere.
If a private bar mitzvah is an exciting moment for every boy and boy, multiply this excitement 120 times. It was thanks to the contributions of Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg in memory of his father Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Schlossberg OBM, the Goldman family from the United States who came especially to participate, and the Meromim Foundation.
The public and guests were greeted warmly and with excitement by the host, Colel Chabad Executive Director Rabbi Sholom Duchman, who showed how this event is a real personal joy for him. The event included performances by star singers Yishai Ribu and Yishai Lapidot.
It was emceed by Reb Binyamin Lipkin, and addressed by Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau, Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Tzfas Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and Beer Sheva Chief Rabbi Yehuda Deri.
Among the dignitaries were Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, Minister of Absorption Pnina Tamano Shata, and Knesset members Ofir Sofer – Religious Zionism, Eli Cohen – Likud, Dudi Amsalem – Likud, Bezalel Smotrich – Chairman of Religious Zionism, Shlomo Karai – Likud, Gila Gamliel – Likud, Yevgeny Soba – Yisrael Beiteinu, Tzachi Hanegbi – Likud, Michael Malkieli – Shas, Amir Ohana – Likud, Keren Barak – Likud, Alex Kushnir – Yisrael Beiteinu, Yitzchak Pindros – Yahadut Hatorah, Meir Porush – Yahadut Hatorah and Idit Silman – Yemina.
The highlight of the event was when Rabbi Amar led the crowd in jointly reciting Shema Yisrael.
Rabbis and ministers were invited to the stage and asked the children questions on a variety of Judaism and traditions. The children were required to respond and scored points. The Bar Mitzvah celebration, produced by “Colors Productions”, concluded with dancing by Bar Mitzvah boys being lifted by the crowd.
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