Project: Bar Mitzvah for Holocaust Survivors

Bar Mitzvahs for Holocaust Survivors Project is being implemented by Helping Hand Coalition for Israel (עמותת יד לעזרה ישראל) in conjunction with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation to bless tens of thousands of Israeli Holocaust Survivors with honorary Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies that they missed in the childhood because of being in concentration camps, Ghettos or evacuations during WWII, or because of living in the former Communist block where they were forced to abandon their national heritage in the face persecution.

The survivors come in buses of 70 people to Jerusalem together with family members and Helping Hand Coalition team members, where they are given a tour around the Western Wall. Some of the IDF soldiers who are present at the Wall join in the ceremony. Then, they are taken to one of the synagogues at the wall, where a traditional ceremony with music. The ceremony is concluded by a nice lunch together and congratulations and prayers by the Rabbi of Western Wall and Holy Sites – Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Most of the survivors are at least 80 years old and are excited to have the opportunity to fulfill this Jewish tradition. The purpose of Helping Hand Coalition for Israel is to support and help the survivors in restoring and fulfilling their rights and Biblical heritage to become closer to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.