Colel Chabad Holds Grand Bar Mitzvah for 123 Orphans at the Kosel

Throughout the war, now entering its 18th month, hundreds of Israeli homes have joined the tragic ranks as bereaved families, and thousands of children will grow up without the support of fathers who fell in battle.

This reality made the annual Colel Chabad bar mitzvah commemoration for orphaned boys that much more emotional this year, as 123 boys—all of whom had lost at least one parent—came to the Western Wall to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Rabbi Sholom Duchman, director of Colel Chabad, said that while this event has been taking place for more than 34 years, Israel’s current challenges reinforced the importance of finding joy amid tragedy.