On Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Shaalei Tikva honored the bar and bat mitzvahs of 90 boys and girls from disadvantaged and at risk families with a daylong celebration in Jerusalem. The honouree youths came from across Israel; Sderot, Kiryat Malachi, Ashkelon, Migdal Haemek, Rehovot, and Beit Shemesh, each one with their own unique story and personal challenges that have lead them to where they are today.

The day began with morning prayers and light refreshments in the holy and magical aura of the Kotel in the Old City of Jerusalem, followed by a trip to the Armon HaNetziv promenade with a beautiful view overlooking the whole city, and finally with a festive meal at the Ramat Rachel hotel, a kibbutz surrounded by Jerusalem. In celebration of this joyous occasion, each bar mitzvah boy received a tefillin and tallit set, with a personalized embroidered bag and each bat mitzvah girl received a set of jewellery. Receiving a bar or bat mitzvah gift is something that these youth don’t take for granted, and appreciate for all its worth.

Each honouree received additional gifts courtesy of the Benaim Family from Toronto, Canada. Mr. Benaim and his wife, who initiated this event, attended the celebration, representing the Estrella Benaim Foundation, and fulfilling their mission statement “to live is to give” by providing happiness to those in need in Estrella Z’L’s memory. This celebration would not be possible without the Benaim’s generosity.

In addition to Mr. Benaim, other respected guests included: MK Uri Ariel (Minister of Agriculture), MK Tzipi Hotoueli (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs), MK Betzalel Smotrich (Deputy Chairperson of the Knesset), and Rabbi Rachamim Nissimi (Chairperson of Shaalei Tikva).