Rabbi Shlomo Raanan, Director and Founder of Ayelet Hashachar, spent a recent Shabbat with his family at Kibbutz Nir-Am. They participated in the first Bar Mitzvah celebration ever held on the Kibbutz. 

Nir-Am, in southern Israel, is located near the city of Sderot, which bears the brunt of many missile attacks at the country. In addition to typical farming and other businesses, Nir-Am is home to the well-know ‘Michsaf’ factory, producer of quality stainless steel cutlery. 

Until now, the few families wishing to celebrate the coming of age of a 13-year-old son had no choice but to spend the Sabbath at a neighboring religious kibbutz. Now that a Bar Mitzvah option has been opened within their own community, two families have already approached Rabbi Raanan with a request to help them arrange their own sons' upcoming simcha!