I am asking for your help to fulfill my daughter Miriam’s dream of celebrating her Bat Mitzvah in Israel alongside her parents and siblings — a dream she has carried since childhood.

After losing our home, income, and belongings over five years ago, we have been working tirelessly just to provide our children with their basic needs. Unfortunately, we cannot afford this once-in-a-lifetime trip on our own.

Miriam hopes to visit Israel to honor the memory of her great-grandmother, whom she met only once, and to reconnect with the extended family she barely remembers.

Your support can help us make this meaningful and deeply personal milestone possible.

It is not easy for me to write this, but today I am asking for your help.

My daughter Miriam is turning 12, and like many Jewish girls, she dreams of a beautiful Bat Mitzvah — a meaningful celebration marking her journey into Jewish womanhood.

Over five years ago, life turned upside down for our family. After nearly 27 years of dedication to the people who employed us, we suddenly found ourselves without a home, income, or belongings. With a baby in our arms and a large family to care for, we had to start over — find a new source of income and a new home. Thankfully, the Unión Israelita, the organization we were working with, managed to pack and ship all our belongings to us, which was a huge help. Since then, my husband and I have been working tirelessly, sacrificing sleep and personal comfort just to provide our children with their needs.

Through it all, Miriam has been an extraordinary daughter — full of light, kindness, and resilience. For many years, she has held onto one dream: to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah in Israel, a place deeply connected to our family and our faith.

Thank G-d, today we are not missing anything, and through hard work we have even managed to put aside some savings for future weddings and other needs. But a trip like this is simply not within our budget, and we have nowhere to take it from.

Due to our new life circumstances, making a party for her locally would not be possible without causing her long-lasting pain — clearly defeating the purpose.

The last time our family visited Israel was nine years ago, for our son’s wedding. We stayed only ten days, but during that visit, Miriam — who was just three years old — had the special merit of meeting my grandmother. Since then, she has told us that her dream was to return one day and celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with her great-grandmother, whom she met then for the first time.

This past February, just over a year before Miriam’s 12th birthday, my beloved grandmother passed away. Although they can no longer celebrate together, Miriam’s dream has only grown stronger — to honor her great-grandmother’s memory by visiting her resting place and by connecting with extended family members she barely remembers.

To fulfill this meaningful dream, we hope to travel — together as a family — for ten days in Israel: to visit relatives and to tour the land that holds such deep significance for us.

Unfortunately, the cost of flights, lodging, transportation, and basic expenses makes this trip far beyond our reach. Without help, we simply cannot make it happen.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving Miriam the Bat Mitzvah experience she has dreamed of her entire life — one she will cherish forever.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for considering helping us make Miriam’s dream a reality.

Your support — whether through donations, sharing, or heartfelt blessings — means more than words can express.

With gratitude,

Milka Raitport