Every year, 15-25 youngsters celebrate their bar-mitzvah or bat-mitzvah with Kehilat Hakerem. For many of the families and guests, this is the first positive synagogue experience of their lives. Participants at bar/bat-mitzvah ceremonies often say things like: “We never knew a synagogue could be so nice” or “If you had been around when I was growing up, I wouldn’t feel so alienated from Judaism.” A fair amount of our membership is made up of families who simply wanted a place to have a bar-mitzvah ceremony, but went on to fall in love with the congregation.
Bnei-Mitzvah coordinator Robert Sasportas has been with us for eight years, and has prepared hundreds of youngsters for their ceremonies. Robert is a well-known and beloved figure in Karmiel and its environs. Originally from Bloomfield , CT (USA), Robert and his family lived on Kibbutz Ein Gev and Kibbutz Yahel before coming to Karmiel in 1990.
In addition to preparations with Robert, most of our Bnei-Mitvah also participate in a values-centered discussion group led by Rabbi Resnick.
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