An emotional and festive event took place this Monday, as 67 children who are victims of hostile acts celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvah with their families in Jerusalem. Among them were many children who tragically joined this circle of loss following the events of October 7. The event was organized by the Organization for the Victims of Terror, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, KKL-JNF, and Standing Together.
The celebration began with the children arriving at the Western Wall Plaza, where guides from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation warmly welcomed them and organized various activities and special events. The Bar Mitzvah boys participated in a moving ceremony, receiving tefillin generously donated by the Gindi family. They then donned the tefillin and had the opportunity to read from the Torah. The Bat Mitzvah girls participated in a unique and emotional ceremony where they received a special necklace and a personalized Book of Psalms. Together, the children offered heartfelt prayers for the success of IDF soldiers and security forces, the speedy return of the hostages, recovery for the wounded, and peace and security for Israel.
Each child received a certificate commemorating this significant milestone. They also toured the Western Wall Tunnels and visited the newly opened “Gateway to Heaven” exhibit.
The celebrations continued with a special ceremony at the President’s Residence, attended by Minister of Labor Yoav Ben Tzur, the Chairman of the Organization for the Victims of Terror Avi Moses, the organization’s CEO Roi Cohen, Rabbi Grossman, Standing Together Chairman Shai Graucher, and other dignitaries. During the event, one of the celebrants, Maayan Makhlouf Shapirer, who lost his brother Tomer on October 7, spoke movingly:
“I am grateful for the privilege of being your brother. I will continue to do the things you loved, take care of Mom as you did, and uphold the values of family, friendship, and loyalty that were so dear to you.”
President Isaac Herzog addressed the celebrants:
“You are learning to understand the strange mixture of light and darkness, the ability to feel both pain and joy together. To discover that they can coexist side by side, without canceling each other out. Sometimes, this is absolutely necessary, and there is nothing more real than the coexistence of grief, sadness, and joy together.”
Avi Moses, Chairman of the Organization for the Victims of Terror, said:
“We are here to ensure that these 67 Bar and Bat Mitzvah children will have thousands more reasons to smile and celebrate. Among them are many who only this year joined the circle of terror victims—children whose joyful childhood was quickly replaced by heavy burdens. The accelerated maturity forced upon them is a result of the Israeli reality, where citizens pay in blood and tears for our right to live here. But this reality also holds hope and a future, and today’s celebrations are the beginning of victory.”
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, added:
“I bless you to not only cope with hardship and pain but to grow from it—to become better, happier, and more complete individuals. May you strengthen and uplift your parents, siblings, and the entire people of Israel, walking in the paths of our ancestors. This is the secret of the Jewish people!”
Yifat Ovadia, Chairperson of KKL-JNF, said:
“KKL-JNF is proud to be part of this meaningful moment in the lives of these Bar and Bat Mitzvah children who have been affected by terror. These celebrations are a living testament to the personal victories of these young men and women, the continuation of Jewish tradition, and the deep connection we all share to the land of Israel. By holding these celebrations at the Western Wall Plaza, we link the past, present, and future of our people in the most sacred place to the Jewish people. In these emotional moments, our thoughts are with the hostages and their families, and we pray for their speedy return home.”
Photo Credits:
Western Wall: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
President’s Residence: Haim Zach, GPO
