Published in The Island 360 (Original article)

Participants dancing at the bat mitzvah. (Photo courtesy of Meir Pavlovsky)

In a heartwarming display of celebration and solidarity, the United Mashadi Jewish Community of America (UMJCA) of Great Neck collaborated with OneFamily to host a special bat mitzvah reception for Israeli girls who have lost a parent or sibling in the Israel–Hamas war.

The event, created and organized by OneFamily CEO Chantal Belzberg, welcomed 20 United Mashadi women’s solidarity mission participants to join the group of 22 Israeli girls in Jerusalem, Israel for the special ceremony.

“To come to a nation that can pull this off beautifully, sensitively, and with the pure aim to make people happy in dark times – it’s incredible,” UMJCA participant Stephanie Aziz said.

OneFamily is a non-profit organization that primarily supports Israeli victims of terrorism with several resources, including financial aid, workshops, support groups, legal advice and more.

The memorable night featured a traditional evening filled with dancing, a multi-course meal, professional photography, makeup glam sessions, art-making, special guest speakers and heartfelt bat mitzvah gifts.

“It was emotional,” UMJCA participant Natalie Kamali said. “It was inspirational. It was intense. OneFamily did an incredible job planning it from beginning to end. There were moments where a lot of the bar mitzvah girls were crying, especially when the rabbi was giving a speech. And there were moments of extreme happiness and laughter and dancing and joy. So it was really bittersweet, but very beautiful.”

The UMJCA’s decision to join the OneFamily celebration came after they made a significant donation to a fundraiser that supports families in Israel. In a kind act of appreciation, OneFamily extended an invitation to the mission participants when they realized that the donation would be going to one of the families involved in the group bat mitzvah.

“Of course, we said yes,” Kamali said. “Especially because we felt so connected to this idea. We thought it would be the perfect addition to our itinerary.”

UMJCA said the noteworthy celebration reminded them of their own annual traditional group bat mitzvah called jamati in the Persian language.

“We came here to bring joy, but it also brings us much joy,” UMJCA representative Nicole Ben Yehuda said. “It is a privilege to be with these special young women.”

In light of the losses that many families have faced since the Oct. 7 attack, Belzberg emphasized the importance of unity and strength.

“At OneFamily, you are allowed to hurt, to talk about the pain, to cry – everything is allowed,” Belzberg said. “In this family, we celebrate even when it is not easy to do so, and we always feel embraced and accepted.”

The celebration was made to honor the young women who all shared poignant stories of loss in the last few months.

Noa Fisch, one of the bereaved, shared that her brother Capt. Eitan Fisch from the Armored Corps was killed in December in Gaza. Talia Rauchberger lost her brother, Golani Captain Shilo Rauchberger, who was killed in battle near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.

Adele Ben Yiftach is also among those who are still grappling with the absence of a loved one, finding solace and fortitude in the gathering. She said that her father, Oren Ben Yiftach, died in a terrorist attack on Israel’s Independence Day in 2022.

“At home, there is nothing we can do,” UMJCA participant Jamie Kamall said. “We watch the news, and we’re angry. We came into a war, and Israelis uplifted us. This spirit is what we
needed.”

Among many of the distinguished guests included co-founder of Israel Impact Partners and former CEO of Mosaic Rabbi Benji Levi, who led the young women and party guests into a traditional prayer that parents give their daughters.

“You are the Queen Esthers of today,” Rabbi Levi said. “Your bravery comes through every day – when you are with your family and friends, and in everything you do. You are the absolute heroes of our generation. If a twenty-fifth book of the Tanach were meant to be written, you would be written in that.”

OneFamily also invited supporter Israeli Knesset Minister Idit Silman and several OneFamily regional coordinators who work closely with each of the young women and their families.

“I am moved to see you here tonight,” Silman said. “It is not a given that one would celebrate a bat mitzvah under these circumstances. Your pain is not yours alone. It is shared by all of us, the Jewish people. We are truly one family, and it is wonderful to see how OneFamily brings light to those who are struggling and in pain.”