There was not a dry eye among those in attendance at the Kosel last Friday, the bar mitzvah of two young men, Ariel Schwartz of the United States and Chen Ron from Israel.

The story began with Ariel informing his parents that he wished to contribute whatever money he receives for his bar mitzvah to bring a bar mitzvah to a needy child in Eretz Yisrael. On Friday, the two boys met for a first time.

For years, Orna, Chen’s mom, dreamt of celebrating his bar mitzvah at the Kosel but as the day was approaching, she began to let go of her dream, realizing the many difficulties, including the fact that Chen is autistic.

About a week before Chen’s bar mitzvah, Orna received a telephone call from the Aleh Foundation which assists Chen and also deals with the needs of single moms. Orna explains “I could not believe it. I simply began crying. It was amazing”.

She adds that she has no doubt that at the Kosel; Chen understood everything taking place, which was evident by his facial expression and jubilant response.

Ariel however did not settle for the Kosel ceremony, but gave all his money and gifts to Chen and the foundation towards assisting others.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)