Historical moment at the Kotel: IDF orphans celebrate their bar/bat mitzvah

Moving Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebration for IDF Orphans at the Western Wall

Moving Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebration for IDF Orphans at the Western Wall

An emotional Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration took place recently at the Western Wall for around fifty boys and girls, children of fallen IDF soldiers, including six from the “Iron Swords War”.

They were welcomed by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, chief military rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier General Rabbi Eyal Karim, chief military secretary Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, who blessed them upon reaching the age of mitzvot. Together, they prayed for the peace of the country, the safe return of the hostages, and the success of the IDF soldiers and security forces.

In the moving ceremony, the boys and girls lit memorial candles in memory of their loved ones who fell during their military service. Afterwards, the boys put on tefillin and went up to the Torah, and then the bar and bat mitzvah children, accompanied by their families, toured the various sites in the Western Wall Tunnels.

More updates

Hanukkah 2025

As we approach the holiday of Hanukkah 5786 (2025), we’ve prepared a practical schedule for you with all the important dates and events to know.

read more »
Bereishit Rabbah

An Olive Leaf from Paradise – Parashat Noach

In Parashat Noach, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz interprets the dove’s olive leaf as a symbol of spiritual freedom — preferring the “bitter” sustenance from God over sweet dependence on man. Emerging from the ark into an empty yet liberating world, the dove embodies the yearning for self-reliance and divine trust. The message resonates today with the joy of those released from captivity — stepping once more into the paradise of freedom after deep suffering.

read more »
Cain and Abel

The Lesson of Cain – Parashat Bereshit

The story of Cain and Abel teaches that life is a series of choices between resentment and self-improvement. When we let go of jealousy and embrace gratitude, we rise above bitterness and help create a world filled with joy, kindness, and light.

read more »

נא בדוק את החיבור שלך לאינטרנט

Search

Book a tour

Amis et frères juifs résidents en France vivants en ces derniers temps des jours compliqués de violence et de saccages , nous vous invitons à formuler ici vos prières qui seront imprimés et déposées entre les prières du Mur des lamentations .