Matt Solomon, Division I college basketball player for Binghamton University, was joyously celebrated this past Sunday at his surprise bar mitzvah. Open to all students, the Chabad of Binghamton, the Tefillin Project and student volunteers partnered to give Solomon an unforgettable Jewish milestone that he hadn’t received at the age of 13. Now, as a college athlete, the Jews of Binghamton University were quick to encourage Solomon to wrap tefillin and receive an aliyah at the Torah.
The bar mitzvah took place at the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Life at Binghamton University on Sunday April 23. With around 50 attendees, including Solomon’s parents who attended via Zoom, the event included speeches, dancing, food and Jewish pride. Solomon entered the room with his eyes covered and was greeted with the surprise of his teammates, friends rabbis and fellow Jewish students who were all there to celebrate his Judaism. The guests heard from Chabad Shaliach Rabbi Yisroel Ohana, Binghamton student and member of the Tefillin Project Jared Stern, and Solomon’s parents, all of whom shared heartfelt and personal words about Solomon and his Jewish journey in Binghamton. Solomon also shared a thank you to the friends in the room and enjoyed each part of the event.
Following the speeches, there was a video shown full of congratulations for the new bar mitzvah from his grandmother, sister, parents, aunts, family friends, Tefillin Project founder and several other Jewish athletes. After their touching words, the food buffets opened and all the students socialized and congratulated Solomon.
The following morning, Solomon attended the Binghamton University morning minyan service at Chabad and wrapped his new tefillin. He also chose a Hebrew name, Shlomo Ben Michael, and got an aliyah at the Torah. After the blessing was recited, the fellow students at the minyan threw the traditional candy at Solomon and danced while singing mazel tov.
Solomon primarily began getting involved in Jewish life at Binghamton through his friend Jared Stern, an involved student in the Chabad of Binghamton and active participant of the Tefillin Project. Their friendship opened doors for the basketball player and introduced him to the Chabad shluchim and other Jewish friends. To culminate his Jewish growth, Solomon received a free pair of tefillin sponsored by the Tefillin Project. The Project was started about a year ago by Jacob Bach, a former Frisch student now living in Israel. Jack Margolius and Jared Stern both Frisch graduates themselves, now currently attending Binghamton University, as well as Danny Carr, travel the country gifting special Jews with their first pair of tefillin. Their goal is to create a meaningful moment for the recipient, uplift their community and create positive energy surrounding the mitzvah of tefillin.
When asked about his reasoning for spending 40+ hours planning the bar mitzvah, Stern simply noted that he “feels obligated to spread Judaism” to Jewish friends and peers and was so happy to do it.
If you would like to learn more about the Tefillin Project, please visit their website and possibly donate to this amazing cause: www.thetefillinproject.co/donate
