Spotlight on our Bar Mitzvah Boys
Samuel Azoulay
“As a Jewish boy growing up in Melbourne, I am grateful and fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah surrounded by my family and friends. The WIZO Bar Mitzvah Twinning Program means a great deal to me because a $180 gift will provide one underprivileged boy in Israel a Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel together with his own Tefillin and Tallit. My aim is to use my simcha to pay it forward and give at least 18 boys a Bar Mitzvah.”
Samuel ended up donating money to enable 32 Boys to celebrate their bar mitzvah - unbelievable effort!
Ari Seligmann
From having seen his mum’s involvement in WIZO, from a young age, and by being a member of WIZO Kids, Ari chose to donate a portion of his Bar Mitzvah money to the WIZO Bar Mitzvah Twinning Program.
By knowing he would be contributing to and enabling a disadvantaged Israeli young man, to have the opportunity to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah, made Ari and his family very proud.
Gabe Miller
“I was so inspired by the session with WIZO that I did as part of the lead up to my Barmitzvah at Toorak Shule, that when I was in Israel I visited WIZO’s Ahuzat Yeladim village for children. I learned that the children living there have had very difficult lives, and for different reasons no longer live with their families. I decided that I would like to ask for donations for my Barmitzvah to support this amazing place and help children whose lives are more challenging than my own. I can’t wait to visit again one day.”
Maor Chrapot
Maor decided to donate his Bar Mitzvah presents to WIZO and Mount Scopus.
He made this decision because he feels fortunate and can give to people in need, such as those that don’t have anywhere to live, don’t have food or don’t receive love from their parents.
His mum has been involved in WIZO for the last eight years and his family knows what WIZO does and about their projects in Israel.
“To give to Makom BaLev, a centre for girls in distress, made me feel that I can make a change and help the girls to get off of the streets and give them a warm and loving place to be.”
‘It’s important to give to Israel as it is my country, the Jewish country.’
Blake Fleizsig
Blake feels so privileged to have had his Bar Mitzvah last December with a magnificent Kiddush, followed by an amazing party with family and family friends.
He felt proud to share this milestone with people close to his family.
He wanted to do a mitzvah to mark this special occasion and it feels really good to know that he has helped less fortunate boys in Israel to celebrate their Bar Mitzvahs with a kiddush party that they otherwise would not have had!
He thinks the WIZO Twinning Program is a meaningful way for Bar Mitzvah boys to make a difference to the lives of others their age in Israel.
Sam Springer
Sam celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in March 2013. With his passion and love for animals, Sam decided to donate to WIZO so that disadvantaged children could benefit from the Pet Therapy Program – caring for animals and taking responsibility for them.
It is because of Sam’s very special relationship with Rose Fekete that he donated to this very worthy organisation. Rose always talked to Sam about her love and dedication to WIZO and all the amazing acts of love, help and generosity it provides to so many women and children in Israel.
When the Springers visited Israel 2 years ago, Rose organised a visit to Ahuzat Yeladim in Haifa. The director, Yossi, showed them around the centre, making them feel welcome and introducing them to the children who lived there.
Tai Oshlack
Tai celebrated his Barmitzvah in late 2013. His donation paid for the sponsorship of one child in Israel to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.
Tai’s Granny Judy has been a WIZO member for many years – as have his great grandmother and great great grandmother! The women in his family are devoted members of WIZO and have collectively passed down their knowledge to Tai.
Tai has helped with fundraising activities like challah baking since he was 4 years old. He has always loved helping others and as his Bar Mitzvah was coming up he was determined to donate money that would really make a difference to someone elses’ life. The WIZO Bar/Bat Mitzvah programme was suggested by his grandmother, Judy Doobov. When Judy suggested twinning his Bar Mitzvah with a child in Israel, Tai knew it was exactly what he wanted to do and hopes that other Bar Mitzvah boys will follow in his footsteps.
Tai looks forward to visiting Israel soon and seeing Ahuzat Yeladim in Haifa.
Jayden Bognar
Jayden is truly a member of the WIZO family. His mother is Karen Bognar an Aviv Representative in 2012 and his grandmothers are Anita Fisher Co-President of WIZO Ayelet and Rony Bognar OAM Past President WIZO Australia- both WIZO stalwarts.
Sam Milner
Sam has been taught the meaning of Tzedakah from an early age. Sam’s grandmothers Dee Aronson and Bertha Milner are dedicated
leaders of WIZO Rachel.