A unique initiative of the ninth grade at AMIT Yehuda Jr. & Sr. High School, reflects the empathy and compassion of today’s Israeli youth. Rabbi Chaim Ben Shitrit and his 9th grade students celebrated Lag Ba’Omer, not with a typical bonfire, but with “flames” of the heart. They passionately danced and sang for a 13 year old boy from Afula, in whose honor they had organized a special and exciting Bar Mitzvah celebration.
About two months ago, Rabbi Ben Shitrit conceived of the idea to organize a Bar Mitzvah for a boy in need. His students immediately jumped at the idea and turned it into reality. Throughout the year, Rabbi Ben Shitrit has been guiding his students in a “year of chessed”. The students have been learning about chessed and have been participating in chessed activies, volunteering in the community, and acquiring important values. The Bar Mitzvah project is the culmination of this “year of chessed”.
The students met with the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family and told them about their idea. The family was extremely grateful and excited about the plan. The students then collected generous donations from around Afula. They reserved a hall, a caterer, photographer, and DJ. Some of the students went shopping with the Bar Mitzvah boy to help him choose clothes for the Bar Mitzvah. When the owners of the clothing store and the shoe store heard the story, they both insisted on providing the merchandise free of charge. Tefillin and Talit were donated by one of the students’ parents, a printing shop generously contributed invitations and personalized t-shirts to give out to the guests, and the students worked with the boy to write a speech.
The Bar Mitzvah celebration took place this past Sunday (after the boy read the Torah on Shabbat) and it was a very special day for the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family. Without a doubt, it was also a very special day for the 9th grade students at AMIT Yehuda Jr. & Sr. High School. Though they themselves celebrated their own Bar Mitzvahs just two years ago, they already appreciate the importance of helping others. They dedicated their time and energy to bring happiness to others, passing on a beacon of love and giving.