Support Ilay's Journey to a Memorable Bar Mitzvah

Dear friends, kind hearts, and generous souls,

My name is Rachel, and I’m a single mother of two beautiful children. I live in Jerusalem, Israel, and have been living with a permanent disability that limits my ability to work and provide beyond our daily needs.

My son Ilay is turning 13 this coming June 2025, and like every Jewish boy, he dreams of a Bar Mitzvah that will stay in his heart forever.

He’s never been on a plane. We've never left Israel, never taken a family trip. But Ilay’s biggest dream is to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah in the United States, where part of our extended family lives — people he knows only through stories and photos.

Ilay is kind, gentle, and wise beyond his years. He rarely asks for anything, always aware of our financial limits. But this is his once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I want to make it meaningful.

The plan: a three-week trip in August 2025 to New York, Florida, and California. Modest hotels, basic meals, simple transportation, and a warm family celebration — not luxury, just love.

Ilay's father is not Jewish and has chosen not to participate in the celebration or its expenses. I carry this responsibility alone, with an open heart but very limited means.

The total cost is estimated at $10,000 – including international flights for 3 people, domestic U.S. travel, accommodations, meals, a simple Bar Mitzvah celebration, and additional support for accessibility and unexpected needs.

I can’t make this dream come true on my own. But with your help — a donation, a share, a kind word — we can create something unforgettable for Ilay.

Please consider being part of this journey. Every contribution brings us one step closer.

Thank you for reading, caring, and believing.

With love and hope,

Rachel

Who I am / Where I’m from:

I am Rachel, a single mother living in Jerusalem, Israel, raising two children while managing a permanent disability.

Who the funds are for:

The funds are for my son Ilay, who lives with me. He is turning 13 in June 2025, and this fundraiser is to help us create a meaningful Bar Mitzvah celebration for him through a trip abroad.

How the funds will be spent:

The money will be used for:

Flights from Tel Aviv to the U.S. and between cities

21 nights of hotel accommodations

Food and basic daily expenses

Domestic transportation

A small family celebration for the Bar Mitzvah

Insurance, visa fees, and accessibility-related costs

I will manage the funds personally, and all spending will go directly to the trip and celebration for Ilay.

This fundraiser is not affiliated with any military or conflict-related purposes. It is purely a personal and family campaign.