When I first saw the video of this sweet and intimate bat mitzvah celebration with a stunning view of the old city, I knew I had to learn more.
Yaffa’s father found Yitzchok Meir Malek, founder of the Jewish Unity Project through videos of his musical performances on the internet. Yitzchok Meir had this to say about the experience:
“It was really one of the greatest moments of my life. We host all sorts of events up on our rooftop. I don’t know who was more inspiring, Yaffa or Yaffa’s family.”
Then YM connected the experience back to the bigger picture.
“Hosting is already a merit in itself. While Avraham was receiving the face of the Shechinah, within three days of recovering from the Brit Milah Avraham gave to himself, at the age of ninety nine Avraham invited in three people passing by. He hosted them well and they ended up being angels and giving Avraham blessings and good news that was ultimately a Mazal Tov. That’s how I feel about Yaffa and Yaffa’s family. They were angels but even higher, human. Instead of wandering in a dry empty vast desert and finding Avraham’s tent, on a too often dry empty vast internet, Yaffa’s Abba heard of Jewish Unity Project’s Rooftop’s Events and contacted us. Yaffa’s Bat Mitzvah took place on Chol Hamoed, a time when it’s a Mitzvah to see the Temple Mount, Oleh LaRegel, and you can clearly see it from the Jewish Unity Rooftop.
The Second Temple, Beit Hamikdash, was destroyed because we weren’t United, we weren’t One like a family should be. So what better place to unite as family than from our rooftop where view in itself is an inspiring reminder? Yaffa’s face especially lit up when played guitar and sang for her while bringing out burning sparklers in the shape of the number 12. Yaffa was just so appreciative, and so was [her] family.
The Jewish Unity Project unifies the diverse Nation of Israel with the goal of rebuilding the Beit Hamikdash, House of Prayer for all Nations, and what better place to start than with family.”
Amazing words! Kol ha kavod to The Jewish Unity Project for bringing Jews together in the Old City, and a belated mazal tov to the bat mitzvah girl.
