JACOB AND LEV'S BAR MITZVAH PROJECT 2024

Dear Friends -

Our names are Jacob Vaysman and Lev Markel.

Originally, we were supposed to celebrate our Bar Mitzvahs (celebration of a boy becoming an adult under Jewish law) in Israel, but when the war broke out, those plans quickly changed.

As we were separately coming up with our Bar Mitzvah projects, our parents found that in Eilat Israel, there is a Chabad (Jewish organization) that has taken in and is now caring for many refugees from the kibbutzim near and around Gaza, that were terrorized on October 7th.

Since Chabad of Eilat does not have adequate resources for all these families, who came with minimal belongings, the boys our age there are struggling to have adequate Bar Mitzvah ceremonies.

We plan to raise money and send it to Chabad of Eilat so these boys can have amazing Bar Mitzvah celebrations, and experience a spiritual sense of community.

The following is a link to a video interview of our conversation with Rebbetzin Chanie Klein, who explains the inspiring work their Chabad is doing and their tremendous need.

The video includes a gut-wrenching story of a hostage survivor, a boy of our age, who after being freed, ended up lighting Hanukkah candles, as part of Eilat tradition, on ice!

Full Interview with Rebbetzin Chanie Klein

To further help raise money, and in honor this young hostage survivor and his family, we have rented an ice rink at Northbrook Ice Center on Sunday, on April 14th from 1-2pm and would like to invite you to join us for our fundraising event:

SKATE FOR EILAT - Chabad of Eilat

SUNDAY, APRIL 14TH - 1PM TO 2PM

NORTHBROOK ICE CENTER - 1730 PFINGSTEN ROAD.

SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR - $20

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR PROJECT!

Here is more information about Chabad of Eilat.

Rebbetzin Chanie Klein's Podcast