Sderot Bar Mitzvah Celebration
It may have been warm outside, but the warmth inside, as 15 young men joined the adult Jewish community celebrating their bar mitzvah, was far greater. These young men, who for the past eight years have endured the hardships of ongoing rocket attacks on their hometown of Sderot, have in many cases lived through the dissolution of their families and been forced to trade a normal childhood for one in a war zone. On this special night, these thirteen year old boys glowed as they were escorted into the room under a tallit canopy and to the accompaniment of shofar blowing and drumming. And for many, it was the first time in years that they witnessed the smiling encouragement of their parents and other assembled family members and friends.The mayor of Sderot, David Bouskila, personally congratulated each and every family and the head of the religious council, Rabbi Oren Malka extended a strong handshake to these very strong individuals. Cameras flashed as each child was recognized for his personal accomplishments and in turn recited a special blessing/wish as he lit a candle on the cake.
These youngsters’ wishes further attested to their maturity on the one hand, and their reality on the other. They prayed for the safe return of Gilad Schalit and the other soldiers missing in action or held in captivity; they prayed for peace; they expressed their sincere yearning for a quiet Sderot and health for their families.
Tears of every kind flowed freely down the cheeks of those in attendance as they remembered. They remembered the child they had buried who had never reached the age of bar mitzvah because he was struck by a kassam rocket while playing in his yard; they remembered the now shattered family that was once whole; they remembered the struggles of this particular child as he was sent to a dormitory school in order to find a healthier environment in which he could thrive, away from the violence of his abusive father; they also remembered the joy of the morning ceremony where these boys were called up to the torah as full fledged adults; they remembered the showering of candies that greeted each child as he rose to the occasion; they remembered the singing and cheering of those sharing this special moment with them. And at that moment, each parent offered his or her own silent prayer for this child’s future and a hope of sharing it with them.
On behalf of the children of Sderot, we at Connections Israel want to thank you, our loyal supporters for enabling us to make this happen. Thank you for sharing with people who are both complete strangers and family members at the same time, for we are truly all brothers and “How goodly it is when brothers come together.” Please scroll through our bar mitzvah album and meet your family who hail from the four corners of the earth. As you have provided for them today, know that one day they will be here for you, protecting their extended family, Am Yisrael.
We encourage you to share this with your friends and community and once again consider partnering with us as we celebrate the bat mitzvah of a group of girls in Sderot in winter.
