In honor of his Bar Mitzvah, Mendel Scheiner from Palm Beach, Florida took on a project which would impact the futures of 13 underprivileged youths in Israel. His goal was achieved after raising an unbelievable $30k, which is being used to fund the bar mitzvahs of over a dozen teens he has never personally met.
This incredible undertaking was done with the help of the Afikim Family Enrichment Association.
Afikim, established by Moshe Lefkowitz, is a non-profit organization which provides educational opportunities for needy children in all sectors of society. By nurturing and uplifting children of all walks of life, the organization creates a brighter future for the next generation of the Jewish people.
Mendel’s father, Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue will lead the uplifting service at the Kotel. Also in attendance will be the all of Mendel’s siblings, many Florida residents, and of course, the families of the 13 bar mitzvah boys.
Each teen will receive a pair of Tefillin, a tallis, a siddur, a yarmulke, and a Tefillin bag. This is a truly invaluable service to these boys, who may not otherwise have had the financial opportunity to partake in these sacred traditions. Immediately following the festive affair the group will be welcomed by President Rivlin in his Jerusalem residence.
With negativity dominating the news, it is a breath of fresh air to see this inspiring act of kindness: A bar mitzvah boy, choosing to make his simcha about the future of kids less fortunate than himself, his father the Rabbi leading what is sure to be an emotional service, and Afikim helping to create Jewish unity by uplifting those in need.
 |
Click here to Reply or Forward
|
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
I just saw an appeal for a large amount of money for a chatunnah for a young lady with 3 children, a gioreth, marrying a ger….a $40 K appeal for a marriage? I realize that here the discussion is for be’nai mitzah…However, much of this money seems to be going for tefillin, etc. Well spent! However, where did the idea come from that a Bar Mitzvah boy needs a $10 K celebration or that a chatan and kallah need a $40 K celebration? I have seen closse to $60 K weddings! I understand some spend more! Get your friends from shul and the neighborhood together…The ladies get together and bake and make food…meat balls, wings, etc….Get a good stereo system which you can rent for $200; and play some CDs. Everyone seems to fancy themselves as DJs today! Rent a small hall for a few hundred dollars! The idea that ANYONE needs $10 K for a Bar Mitzvah celebration or $40 K for a wedding is sickening. I have been to many and it is disgusting. What a waste of money. There are families amongst us who literally can not pay for groceries; people whose homes are being foreclosed; people with terrible debt; unemployment; sick children, etc., with families going through financial hell and we seem to think that someone should have $40 K for a wedding for what? A plate of half-eaten chicken and a band which no one will remember? Give it all away for real tzedaqah projects like this wonderful young man. In the case of a chatan & kallah, let the couple keep a few thousand with which to start out with and use the remainder of the money for real tzedaqah projects. I am a ger; I have three kids who turned out great, one still in kollel. This is what we did. My son’s brit was also done this way. I was poor, learning in kollel, but families got together and cooked and baked and decorated. You know what? It was more special than any big fancy catered affair. Our chatunah was the biggest that my yeshivah EVER saw…It was wonderful b/c we had friends willing to help; bake, cook; play tapes and records (at that time some years ago). Where do couples get off these days believing that they need $30 K and $40 K and even more for weddings or huge Bar Mitzvah celebrations?