A Historic Day at Kever Rachel

Beit Orot facilitated on Monday, August 27, 2007 the first ever Bat Mitzvah celebration at Beit Bnei Rachel in Beit Lechem, adjacent to Rachel’s Tomb. Acquired over the course of the last 6 years by a group of Jewish investors initially organized by Beit Orot activists, the complex is located inside the “security barrier” enclave that includes what many consider to be the tomb of the matriarch Rachel.

Tamar Klein of Cedarhurst, NY, along with her parents David & Penina and family and friends totaling nearly 100 people celebrated Tamar’s Bat Mitzvah with a fully catered party, complete with appropriate decoration and simcha dancing. Great effort was made to obtain the security establishment’s permission for the event, which was no simple task. At nearly the last moment, the go-ahead was given and furniture, dishes, flatware, glasses, flowers, balloons, decorations and plenty of food were brought into the Israeli-controlled side of Beit Lechem for what is believed to be among the first, if not the first, event of this kind outside the Kever Rachel compound in Beit Lechem.

Tamar spent many months studying together with her mother for her Bat Mitzvah theme, guided by Tsipi Egert of the Rachel Imeinu Foundation. A commemorative “Bat Mitzvah at Kever Rachel” certificate was presented to Tamar by foundation representatives Evelyn Haies (president of the RCRF) and Chaim Silberstein (formerly of Beit Orot).

Since initiating the acquisition of Beit Bnei Rachel, Beit Orot has been actively involved in development and upkeep work at Kever Rachel itself, directing the major renovations and restroom additions that took place in 2006, sponsored by Jerry Kanter of Chicago, IL. Yeshivat Beit Orot is currently launching a satellite yeshiva at the new site (Yeshivat Bnei Rachel) under the direction of Roshei Hayeshiva Rav Elchanan Bin Nun and Rav Dani Isaac. Beit Orot is the exclusive facilitator of catered affairs (brit, bar/bat mitzvah, etc) at Beit Bnei Rachel. To inquire about your simcha, visit www.beitorot.org or e-mail to info@beitorot.org or call +972-2-628-4155.

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