Bar Mitzvah Testimonial

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Bar Mitzvah Tour in The Holy City of Hebron
Makes For the Most Meaningful Celebration

Rav Simchaa Hochbaum tells the history of the ancient torah scrolls in the Avraham Avinu shul in HebronWhat’s the most meaningful way to celebrate a bar or bat mitzvah? By continuing the legacy of the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the city where they lived and where they are buried: Hebron!

That’s just what Gavriel F., from Brooklyn, New York, did when it came time to celebrate his son’s bar mitzvah. He decided to celebrate the milestone event by bringing his family to Israel.

“Each day, we arranged to pray at a different holy city in Israel,” he said. “This included the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem; Beit Lechem, where matriarch Rachel is buried; Safed; and, of course, Hebron.”

The holy city of Hebron is where one visits Israel’s past, present and future. Mentioned in the Bible 87 times, it is the place of the first documented purchase of land in Israel by Abraham 4,000 years ago. The Biblical patriarch Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpelah (also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs) in order to bury his beloved wife, Sarah.

“And then Abraham buried his wife Sara in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre—now Hevron—in the land of Canaan.” (Genesis 23:19)

“How can one celebrate a Jewish milestone and not invite the great grandparents?!!!,” Gavriel said with emotion. “And, visiting the people who live in Hebron is being with some of the holiest people in the world. There’s no better venue than Hebron.”

Gavriel’s family was fascinated by the ancient archeology, the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, along with the modern day heroes living in Hebron today.

Gavriel pointed out that Hebron is not only the home and burial place of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah, it is also where King David had his first kingdom. In addition, Biblical Ruth and Jesse, as well as Othniel Ben Knaz – the first judge of Israel – and other important figures are buried there.

“There are so many present day heroes in Hebron or from Hebron whose stories are just fascinating,” Gavriel said. “Listening to the stories of young Jewish teenagers, as well as the heroism of people like Sarah Nachshon, are powerful lessons for my children of what it means to be a Jewish hero. Interacting with the Israeli soldiers is an inspiring lesson in itself.”

Sarah Nachshon was the first person to bury a Jewish soul in the Hebron cemetery since 1929, when in 1975 she buried in infant son, Avraham, against security orders.

“Four thousand years ago our Patriarch Abraham purchased Hebron for the Jewish People by burying his wife Sarah here,” Sarah Nachshon said as she lowered her son’s body into the grave. “Tonight, Sarah is repurchasing Hebron for the Jewish People by burying her son Avraham here”.

Gavriel noted the ease at which he was able to plan his family’s trip to Hebron.

“We contacted the Hebron Fund to make our arrangements,” he explained. “I made just one phone call and our entire private tour to Hebron was arranged seamlessly, professionally and at a fair cost.”

The Hebron Fund arranged safe transportation and an enthralling tour, that according to Gavriel kept “even the most challenging child fully engaged.” Hebron tour activities included making chocolate, jeeping in the Hebron Hills, distributing pizza and candy to the IDF soldiers serving in Hebron, praying at Hebron’s many holy sites, and seeing ancient archeology unique to this city.

“It is worth visiting Hebron just to spend an hour with one of the greatest tour guides around, Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum,” smiled Gavriel. “His love of every inch of Hebron is infectious! It’s totally worth this trip just to expose your bar mitzvah boy to him and his enthusiasm.”

“We felt totally safe in this holy city and, I have to say, everyone in my family gave the food at the Hebron restaurant an outstanding review!”

Hebron is a microcosm of all of the politics in the current holy State of Israel, according to Gavriel. Visiting and celebrating in this Biblical city lends strength to the Jews who maintain a Jewish presence in Hebron in order that the second holiest city in the world remain open, safe and available for people of all religions to visit.

“The fact is that those of us who don’t live in Israel must visit and then talk about our experiences in the country with anyone who will listen,” Gavriel said. “We must support the residents of Hebron, with our feet, socially, and financially. The citizens of Hebron are the Jewish People’s front line soldiers!”

To arrange your special bar or bat mitzvah celebration in Hebron, please contact Shira Goldstein at: [email protected], call +972 52-431-7055, or complete the form on the right and we will contact you as soon as possible.

If you are unable to personally come to Hebron, you may still increase the joy of your celebration sponsorship opportunities to support Israeli soldiers serving in Hebron. Please contact [email protected] who will be happy to make all of the arrangements.

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