The main Bar Mitzvah celebration: A series of Bar Mitzvah events were celebrated in Jerusalem today (Monday) for 122 orphaned boys from all over the country, including war orphans, on the occasion of the 122nd birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, which will fall on the 11th of Nissan.
The traditional celebration is held every year on the eve of the 11th of Nissan by the Chabad Kollel, and is preceded by special accompaniment by Chesed Menachem Mendel, the educational arm of the Kollel, which accompanies the orphans and introduces them to the big and exciting day of their lives.
In recent days, due to security tensions, there have been concerns about the existence of the event, but after consulting with security officials and other parties, it was decided at the Kollel not to give up the traditional celebration.
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The celebration opened this morning at the Western Wall, where the boys were welcomed with singing and dancing. They were lifted onto their shoulders, and circles of joy were formed around them by the happy families, who were honored to welcome their family member in an elevated position.
Each of the boys received a personal pair of tefillin by the 'Kollel' staff, led by the dedicated director, Rabbi Shalom Duchman. His son, Rabbi Zalman, came especially from New York to bring his father's blessing.
From there, the boys went to the morning prayer. One by one, the boys went up to the Torah, near the remains of our temple.
At the end of the celebration at the Western Wall, the boys, the Bar Mitzvah grooms, traveled to the Nation Buildings - where a festive and stately ceremony was held, with the participation of the Chief Rabbis, ministers, and honored guests.
The chain of events is being organized with the assistance of the 'Ish Israel' Institute - for the elevation of the soul of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Schlossberg, a donation from his son, the Hasidic Governor Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg.
During the grand celebration, hosted by Ephraim Kamisar and produced by 'Colors Productions', valuable gifts were given to all the groomsmen.
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