With the pandemic preventing large gatherings, 13-year-old Friendship Circle participant boys will receive a precious gift for their Bar Mitzvah—their own pair of Tefillin—in lieu of what would have been a joyous communal coming-of-age party.
In an age-old rite of passage, a Jewish male becomes Bar Mitzvah upon reaching the age of 13, marking the beginning of his Jewish adulthood responsible for his own actions. A chief observance begun at this age is the daily donning of tefillin, black leather boxes containing central Biblical passages that are worn for morning prayers.
In a time of social distancing and limited get-togethers, their special moment looked like it would be another cycle-of-life celebration lost to the pandemic.
Refusing to let this important milestone go by unnoticed and recognizing the need to find more to celebrate in the current climate, Friendship Circle International stepped up to give a bar mitzvah package with all the Judaic essentials, ensuring they felt remembered, celebrated and included. The package consists of the pair of tefillin as well as a Siddur -, a Kippah – sponsored by IKippah, Tzitzit and a charity box designed by artists from “Soul Studio”—a Friendship Circle program that encourages children with special needs to explore art and creative expression.
With the parties of so many Bar Mitzvah boy’s around the globe put on indefinite hold due to covid, 81 chapters of Friendship Circle around the globe identified the need to offer this Bar Mitzvah gift to children in each city, bringing together the special needs community, even during the pandemic.
Friendship Circle International is committed to being there for Jewish community members living with special needs, despite the immense challenges the global health crisis has wrought, and they have developed creative ways of letting everyone in our community know that they are not forgotten and that they matter. The Bar Mitzvah Project is another part of that covid response effort.
“When we realized these Bar Mitzvah boys wouldn’t be able to enjoy a traditional Bar Mitzvah celebration—with guests, a party, and presents—due to the pandemic, we were to determined to mark this special moment in his life in a truly memorable way, one that would signify the importance of this milestone in the life of a Jewish person,” said Rabbi Mendel Groner, Director of Friendship Circle International.
“A gift of tefillin—one of Judaism’s sacred objects, and one will wear each day—is something we can do for them even amid the life-changing reality of covid, reminding him that now he is a man and a unique part of the tapestry that makes up the Jewish people.”.
“This gift of key Jewish items is statement of community,” said Rabbi Mordy Rudolph, Executive Director of Friendship Circle Pittsburgh. “This is our community’s way of saying, while we might not all be there in person celebrating on their special day, we’re with them in spirit as they enter this new stage in their life: as fully fledged Jewish adults, now ready to take responsibility for themselves and their place in the world, working to make it a better and brighter place for us all.”
The gift is courtesy of Friendship Circle International, an organization devoted to enriching the lives of young people living with disabilities and special needs. Founded in 1994, Friendship Circle is an organization comprising 81 chapters around the world, that provides support, friendship, and opportunities to people with special needs in the community. Together with a team of community volunteers, a variety of social, educational, and vocational programs are offered. Friendship Circle encourages an inclusive community where all individuals are valued regardless of the challenges they face. By integrating those with special needs into our community, Friendship Circle helps these special souls achieve their fullest potential.
