Army Unit Celebrates Bar Mitzvah of Soldier

June 02, 2009

When Itzik first approached Andre asking him to put on Tefilin, Andre declined.

That was in the afternoon, when Itzik visits the army bases to shmooze with the soldiers, teach them about Torah and offer them Tefilin. But when Itzik encountered Andre when he made his midnight visits to the soldiers standing on duty for 8 hours, Andre opened up and explained his refusal.

The soldiers love to get a visit from Itzik in the middle of the night. He mixes his own flavored coffee and brings it to them with cakes and cookies. In addition to the treats he brings, they welcome his smile, his warm personality and his stimulating conversation.

It turned out that Andre did not have a Bar Mitzvah in his native Moldava. He had never put on Tefilin before. Itzik asked him if he would like to have a Bar Mitzvah. Andre’s face lit up. Why not?

The commander agreed to release the unit from duty for the Bar Mitzvah celebration. Chabad of Hevron arranged for the Aliyah in Maaras HaMachpela, together with music, song and dance.

The unit then went to the Gutnick Center for the Seudas Mitzvah, the celebration banquet. The soldiers enjoyed the unusual opportunity to attend the Bar Mitzvah of a unit member. There was good food, good speeches and good cheer.

As the party was breaking up and the soldiers getting ready to resume duty, Danny went to the counter to pay for the party. He was told it was not necessary. What? The man behind the counter told him that while the Bar Mitzvah was going on, a tour had come into the main part of the cafeteria. One of the tourists asked about what was going on in the section where the soldiers were seated. After hearing what the celebration was, the tourist paid the entire bill of more than one thousand Shekels. And then he left.

Danny ran outside and managed to find him and thank him. He did not want to identify himself. But he did ask Danny to thank the soldiers on his behalf for protecting our city. May his sponsoring the Bar Mitzvah Simcha in Hevron, be the catalyst to many more Simchas for him and his loved ones. 

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