A moving tribute took place last week at a reserve base near Hashmonaim: A reservist, who had never celebrated a Bar Mitzvah or put on tefillin, wanted to celebrate the special moment for the first time in his life.
The news reached the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva "Ner Tamid" in the town of Hashmonaim, where the ninth-grade students immediately enlisted for the mission. The students wanted to come to the base to make the soldier happy and participate with him in the Bar Mitzvah celebration and the first putting on of tefillin in his life.
When the Binyamin Development Foundation heard about the initiative, they immediately stepped in and helped provide a bus for the students, allowing them to reach the base and take part in the celebration.
During the event, the students participated in the moving ceremony, singing, dancing and rejoicing along with the soldier, who put on tefillin for the first time in his life and celebrated the Bar Mitzvah he never got to celebrate as a child.
Rosh Yeshivah Bnei Akiva 'Ner Tamid' in Hashmonaim, Rabbi Itamar Lieberman: "When we heard about the reserve soldier who wanted to put on tefillin and celebrate a Bar Mitzvah for the first time in his life, the students immediately wanted to come and make him happy. We were happy to see the quick mobilization that allowed them to take part in this special moment. These are moments that illustrate the mutual commitment, connection and unity that accompany the Jewish people even in difficult times."'
Head of the Binyamin Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Sarel Gantz said: "Precisely at a time when reserve soldiers are carrying such a heavy burden on their shoulders for the sake of the people of Israel, it is moving to see the great spirit that is being revealed here. Young students who hear about a soldier who never got to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah and never put on tefillin, immediately enlist to make him happy, and the people of the Binyamin Development Society are mobilized to make this possible.
""This is the beautiful story of the people of Israel – mutual guarantee, giving and connection between people. This is also the special spirit of the residents of Binyamin, who for nearly three years have been enlisting time and again for the people of Israel, on the front lines, in the home front, in the reserves, volunteering and wherever they are needed. I was very excited to hear about this initiative.""
