There are thousands of disadvantaged children in Israel each year who are unable to participate in and celebrate this religious milestone. This celebration is a key element in the practice of Judaism. These children cannot afford to pay for lessons which culminate in their Bar/Batmitzvah.
Every year, WIZO branches throughout Israel organise group Bar and Bat Mitzvah programmes for children whose families who are unable to afford a personal celebration.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah programmes have been held in the cities of Jerusalem, Petach Tikvah, Holon, Ramat Gan, Afula, Haifa and Netanya for small groups of twenty to forty children who reach this important religious milestone in their lives.
The boys and girls participating in the WIZO Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme are from disadvantaged families affected by poverty, family crisis, bereavement or are single parent families or immigrants from Russia, Ethiopia or other areas .
Without WIZO, these children would not be celebrating their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.