Dear Family & Friends,

My mitzvah project is extremely special to me. Five years ago I visited Israel with my family on a Temple Emanu-El tour led by Rabbi Kirshner and his family. One of the highlights of my trip was spending time with the children at Bet Elazraki Children’s Home. We were lucky that we got to celebrate Hanukkah there.

Though they spoke mostly Hebrew and I only spoke English we still found a way to bond through a dance party and lighting the menorah all together. It was such a special experience and one I think about often. I left there knowing one day I wanted to do more for the children there. As I am busy here planning my own Bat Mitzvah celebration I started to wonder what the girls there do to celebrate theirs. I decided to reach out to Bet Elazraki Children’s Home.

I learned they have five girls who will be having their Bat Mitzvah’s this year. I realize how lucky I am to have my Bat Mitzvah party as my celebration so I wanted these girls to experience something special of their own.

My Mitzvah Project is to sponsor a special celebration day for these five girls. Their celebration will be held on my Bat Mitzvah weekend and on my actual birthday helping us be connected even though we are so far apart. Please help me sponsor a day that these incredible girls will cherish for years to come. I am honored to be sharing this weekend with all of them.

Mazel Tov Esther, Noa, Nur, Paige and Sharon.

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Bet Elazraki Children's Home, located in Netanya, Israel, is the safe and loving home to 200 at-risk children ages 6-18 who were referred to them by welfare officials throughout Israel. The children were removed from life threatening dangers and from dysfunctional families. Bet Elazraki is unique as it embraces and nurtures children lovingly while implementing a structured, professional work-model aimed at helping them overcome their pain, deal with their trauma, and fulfill their potential.

During our childrens' Bar/Bat Mitzvah year, we work hard to give them a tremendous amount of love and individualized attention—something that is not always easy in a family of 200! Because of this project, our girls will be receiving a celebration they truly deserve. They are counting down the days!

To learn more about Bet Elazraki, visit: www.elazraki.org