Ethiopian Bar Mitzvah, by Miriam Van Bers

Dressed in their brightly colored clothes...I could only guess at the many hardships this ancient people had endured on their journey to their promised land.

Note: Miriam Van Bers is associated with The Forgotten People Fund. What follows is her account of one of the special B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies held at Neot Kedumim throughout the year. Others have included special celebrations for orphans of the Israel Army, the children of the Israeli police, and many other special groups.

Young Ethiopian re-enacts the story of Ruth at NK

On a sunny Monday in June 2006 we were privileged to participate in the communal Bar Mitzvah of fourteen Ethiopian boys living in Netanya. The project was organized by The Forgotten People Fund, a charity founded by Anne and David Silverman, and Aida Miller to address the needs of new immigrant Ethiopian families. The Fund was approached to put on a Bar Mitzvah for the fourteen boys and decided it would be a wonderful idea to give these families something they would remember for the rest of their lives. It is clear that the goal was met and exceeded!

The venue for the Bar Mitzvah was in Neot Kedumim, the biblical park, situated half way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and could not have been more appropriate. Sitting among the tall trees on the stones of a small amphitheatre, we were acutely aware of the timelessness of our surroundings and the ceremony we were about to witness. I looked around at the faces of the families of the Bar Mitzvah boys. Dressed in their brightly colored clothes, their faces shining with pride and joy, I could only guess at the many hardships this ancient people had endured on their journey to their promised land; journeys that must have lasted many months over rough and dangerous terrain, but now made worthwhile by the sight of their sons about to take their rightful places as Jewish men in Eretz Yisrael.

As the boys assembled in front of the ark to begin the ceremony, the depth of emotion felt among not only the families, but all those present, was so strong that it was difficult to hold back the tears. This was a truly spiritual moment; this was what being Jewish was all about. The rabbi, who had given so generously of his time preparing these boys, proudly conducted the service.

When it was completed, the brightness of the sun could not compete with the smiles of the fourteen young men.

Tables and chairs for a buffet lunch had been arranged under the trees and we were soon joining the families in their unique form of Ethiopian dancing. We did our best and enjoyed every moment, but we could not keep up with the energy of these beautiful people. I have been to many B’nai Mitzvah, from simple family affairs to “ Hollywood productions”, but none have moved me and had such an emotional impact as the coming of age of these Ethiopian youths at Neot Kedumim. We were very honored to have been given the opportunity to share this special occasion with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters.

For further information about the Forgotten People Fund please visit their sponsored web site at www.fpf.org.il.