I’m so excited to be raising money for the Bet Elazraki Children’s home in Netanya, Israel! 

I was lucky enough to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah on Chol Hamoed Sukkot on October 3, 2023 with three girls also turning 12 this year living at Bet Elazraki Children's Home in Netanya, Israel. Unbelievably, this amazing celebration was only 4 days before the horrific attack of Hamas terrorists on Israel.

Last year my family was able to celebrate my sister Sophia‘s Bat Mitzvah at the children's home, also over Sukkot. Before that, Sophia, Eliana, and Steven were all lucky enough to visit the home on the East Hill Bar/Bat Mitzvah missions with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Reichman. Our family has a lot of connections to the home, which began with my aunt Tali Pines who lived at the home for a summer as a teen. Since then, we have visited many times as an extended family. My sister Eliana is now studying for the year at Midreshet Torah Vi’Chessed (MTC) at Bet Elazraki.

In all my visits to the home, I always feel so much love and joy being together with Yehudah Cohen and all the children of Bet Elazraki. I know what a warm and loving environment Bet Elazraki is for the children who live there. It is truly a magical place- filled with people doing chessed all day. It is also the absolute happiest place on earth. 

It is true what they say about Beit Elazraki. When you visit, you might think you are bringing something to the home, but in fact, you’re taking away so much more. I hope everybody has the opportunity to visit one day and see firsthand what I mean. 

My sister Sophia graciously handed off her successful Instagram custom sticker Bat Mitzvah project to me. I raised money for the home by making custom stickers for Mishloach Manot of Purim 2023, and am still customizing stickers by request today. 

Thank you for supporting my Bat Mitzvah project and Bet Elazraki!

Kayla Stein, age 11 

Englewood, NJ