Every Bar Mitzvah is a special occasion. But when Mesanel, Shimon, and Mordechai, students at Tikvah Layeled, celebrated their joint induction to adulthood, every guest sensed that this Bar Mitzvah was unique. The event was more than a rite of passage for the boys. It was a celebration of their individual journeys.
“Thirteen years ago, when my son was born, the doctors told me to put him into an institution,” said Giveret K., mother of one of the boys. “They said he’ll be a vegetable. He won’t talk, he won’t walk. And today he’s going to stand and give a Bar Mitzvah drasha.” She wiped the tears from her eyes, and whispered, “It’s because of Tikvah Layeled.”
The other parents concurred. Their sons, ensconced on the dais wearing crisp new shirts and ties, beamed with pride as they greeted well wishers and took in the decoration-festooned dining room. The therapists, teachers, and volunteers who had invested years in their development sat beside parents, friends, and relatives representing every Jewish community, from Meah Shearim to Mizrachi; and enjoyed a festive meal together. It was hard to tell who took more pride in the boys.
When one of the boys rose to give the traditional Bar Mitzvah drasha, an expectant hush fell over the dining hall. He held on to the table for support, and in a voice that was just-barely garbled, he thanked Tikvah Layeled.
“My teachers and therapists always believe in me,” he said. “They make me feel that I could do everything I want. They make me try harder.” He concluded with a short Torah thought, and sat down amidst much applause and copious tears.
“A few years ago, he wasn’t able to stand,” recalled one therapist. “Look at him today. A real Bar Mitzvah bachur!”
Tikvah Layeled made every effort to prepare the boys for their Bar Mitzvahs. That meant not only helping them with their speeches, but also teaching them to wrap Tefillin around their arms; a monumental effort for boys with cerebral palsy.
“Tefillin are a crown for a Jewish man,” said Rabbi Braitstein of Tikvah Layeled. “Today, Mesanel, Shimon, and Mordechai join the ranks of Jewish adults. They can be counted into a minyan, and they wear their crowns with pride.” For the boys, the Bar Mitzvah was a major step into the real world. For their parents and the staff at Tikvah Layeled, it was pure nachas.
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