A grand Bar Mitzvah celebration was held for 123 orphaned boys from across the country, including orphans of the Gaza war. The event was organized as part of the traditional "Colel Chabad" initiative, marking the 123rd birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The celebration was preceded by special guidance from "Chesed Menachem Mendel," the educational arm of Colel Chabad, which supports orphans and prepares them for their Bar Mitzvah.
The celebration began early in the morning at the Western Wall, where the boys were welcomed with singing and dancing. They were lifted onto shoulders, surrounded by circles of joy formed by their family members who were honored to bring their children to this significant milestone. Each boy was personally gifted a pair of tefillin by the Colel Chabad team, led by Rabbi Shalom Duchman. This was followed by the boys participating in the morning prayer service and being called up to the Torah one by one next to the sacred stones of the Western Wall.
After the ceremony at the Wall, the Bar Mitzvah boys were taken to the International Convention Center for the main event, where they were also presented with gifts. The event included a festive meal attended by prominent figures such as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Kalman Bar, and former chief rabbis Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar and Rabbi David Lau.
During the event, the dedication of Rabbi Yitzchak Marton, who devoted his life to supporting orphans, was honored. One of his sons, also celebrating his Bar Mitzvah, delivered a speech about his father. Another son, Yossi, performed a moving song with his brother. The event, produced by Tzvaim Productions and hosted by Efraim Kamisar, featured musical accompaniment by Yair Elitzur and Yishai Lapidot.
At the heart of the celebration, organized with the support of the "Eish Yisrael" Institute in memory of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Schlossberg and funded by his son Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg, a trivia competition on Jewish topics was held. Each Bar Mitzvah boy received a remote control to answer questions, adding an engaging and uplifting experience for the boys and their families.
One widow expressed her gratitude, writing: "A huge thank you to all of you! So much thought, effort, and resources were invested—all to bring us joy. Thank you so much! You have given us light and strength. May you continue to spread goodness and love across Israel and elevate the Torah."
Another family added: "We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the Bar Mitzvah event you have been organizing for years. Every year, you invest and give with all your heart. It is felt by us and by the Bar Mitzvah boys. May you be blessed with strength, health, and success, and may you continue this amazing mitzvah!"
"Every orphaned boy is a world unto himself," said Rabbi Shalom Duchman and Rabbi Mendy Bloy from Colel Chabad’s leadership. "This celebration was large in scale, but each boy received personal attention, as if he were the only one. We hope this joy stays with the boys throughout the year and their entire lives."
