What a Bar Mitzvah!
250 family and close friends joined Rabbi Yitzy Hurwitz, his wife Dina and seven children for the Bar Mitzvah of their son Mendel.
Taking place at the beautiful and scenic Lorimar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula, California the event inspired every single participant. Overlooking vineyards and mountains, and with the scent of nature in the air, the location set the tone for the moving occasion for a very special family.
A little over a year ago, Mendel Hurwitz’s father Yitzy – the Shliach to Temecula, California – was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). This horrific disease – one of the cruelest known to mankind – deprives a person from his ability to speak or move. Tragically, Rabbi Yitzy is no longer able to speak and his ability to move is severely restricted. Nevertheless, his optimism and love for life is very much evident through his infectious smile and twinkling eyes. He radiates hope and true bitachon in the face of such overwhelming challenge.
At the Bar Mitzvah, many family members spoke and inspired participants to do a mitzvah in honor of Yitzy’s complete recovery. Attending were many of Mendel’s family members including his grandparents Hurwitz and Berkowitz, and even his great-grandmother Hadassah Carlebach (daughter of Rabbi Zalman Schneerson) made a point to travel from New York to attend the simcha.
In her speech, Dina Hurwitz thanked everyone for their support, and spoke of the importance of their Shlichus. She then gave out Israeli army yarmulkas that someone gave her, on the condition that whoever takes one add a mitzvah in the merit of the three kidnapped boys in Israel to return safely.
Rabbi Sholom Katz, who is currently on Shlichus in Temecula working for the Hurwitzes, read the Rebbe’s letter to Bar Mitzvah boys and spoke of the extraordinary effect Rabbi and Mrs. Hurwitz have had on the community in Temecula.
While Yitzi Hurwitz could not make a speech himself, he wrote the following letter to his son, which he asked his older son Moshe to read:
Dearest Mendel,
We sit here surrounded by vineyards. In Hebrew “kerem.” In Isaiah the Jews are compared to a Vineyard. In the Vineyard there are vines, on the vine there are leaves and clusters. The vine holds the leaves and clusters. The leaves protect the grapes. The cluster holds the grape. The most valued part, is the grape of the vine עינבי הגפן.
That is who you are.
The עונבי הגפן . The cream of the crop. You come from a great family. Your lineage is from greats. King David, Samuel the Prophet. The holy Shaloh. You are from the Chabad Rebbes, From the Schneerson dynasty, the Carlebach dynasty. Your great grandparents carried the flag of Judaism through the difficulties of World War Two, rebuilt families of Rabbis to continue.
You yourself are top of your class. So capable. We all heard you read the Torah and Haftora, not like a bar mitzvah boy, but like a pro. But I know you – this is just the tip of the iceberg. You are far more capable. Your mother and I are so proud of you and we expect great things.
With all this in mind, your effort is what ultimately defines you. You have it all laid out in front of you, all you need to do is take it. Make us proud.
The event was arranged and sponsored by a group of five individuals who have taken upon themselves to cover all of the Hurwitz Family expenses during this trying period in their lives: Rabbis Shmuel Fogelman, Simcha Backman, Yossi Baitelman, Shlomo Bistritsky and Reuven Mintz.
To contribute to this special cause please go to: www.hurwitzfamilyfund.com
Photos: Yossipercia.com
May you continue to celebrate many more simchos together as a family and may Yosef Yitzchok ben bracha be bentched with a refuah shlaima bkorov mamesh. beautiful idea with the yarmulkas in exchange for a mitzvah for the three boys in eretz yisroel – may they be found alive and well now! may we all celebrate both with Moshiach’s arrival already – amein!
Refuah now! He deserves it! It’s right!
But have to admit I started crying when I saw Rabbi Hurwitz’s pictures. So painful to see him. His neshomo still shines through but his beautiful personality isn’t visible. Moshiach now!!
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But with Gezunt! Moshiach this second!!!
no. 17 said exactlly our words . Amen to all of thosebrochos
You shluchim are the best.
So happy to see the family so happy.
I wish you a speedy recovery and only simchas
Does anyone know how i can make a donation??
I live in England
Mazel Tov and May you always have much naches from your Bar Mitzva son and ALL your family members. Beautiful speech. Stay strong, Tracht Gut. You are indeed an inspiration for us all. May hashem bless you in all areas and restore your HEALTH immediately.
BS”D
Cute kid may his father dance at his Chasina
I just love every single one of them.
And so true about that sparkle in his eye- you cant help but to be happy when you are around him when you see it.
What a wonderful man and family. May G-d give them strength and restore Rabbi Yitzi’s health immediately!
There is so much love for Yitzi ..
He is genuinely loved by everyone…………..
So many people (not to mention his immediate family) need Yosef Yitzchok ben Bracha to be fully recovered and fully functioning.
He is a truly special neshama whose love for his fellow man was and is so palpable — the Eibishter can and will grant him a refua SHLiAMA NOW!!
Mazal tov for this wonderful simcha and we await yet another simcha!!! Yosef Yitzchok’s full recovery with Moshiach’s arrival.!!
V;Ahmein!
Please give him a full recovery now!!!!!!!
May the family only stay strong. You are very special people…
The Mishpocho of Chsidim and Shluchim are all with you.
Be well. The eibeshter will bez’h take care.
Lots of love.
A fellow chosid
bs”d
reb yose yitzchak is amazing!!!
but plz refer to him by his name “YOSEF YITZCHAK”
What Rabbis Shmuel Fogelman, Simcha Backman, Yossi Baitelman, Shlomo Bistritsky and Reuven Mintz are doing is truly amazing and commendable. We should all learn from them. When the going gets tough the tough get going. The Aibishter should and will repay them tenfold. With the ultimate Bracha of Yitzy’s recovery and Moshiach when we will once again be united with the Rebbe.
Beautiful photos……K”H beautiful family! Lots of Mazal & many more simchas to be shared with Yitzi. May Hashem grant you a complete Refuah Sh’laima now.
xoxo Kessler Family – LB/LA
Mazeltov! May this simcha bring the ultimate simcha & with it, a complete refuah for your dear son. Thinking of you always!
Hindy Lewis, Ramat Bet Shemesh
Took a while to spot you but your lookin awesome as usual!
Love your friends from section c!
hashem please make your children happy. we need moshiach now
that is so so so sad and painful to see 🙁 he must have a refuah sheleimah! We demand!
Avinu av harachaman bless you and us all. Mazal Tov.
To our dear Yitzy & Dina. we wish we could have been there to share in your simcha.
love Elie & Tzippy
Amazing event.
Hashem should comfort Yitzi and the family
Miracles should happen
May Hashem grant him a refuah shlemah NOW!